From KSTP
REDWOOD FALLS - A Redwood Falls' refinery is the first of its kind in Minnesota. It takes locally grown soybeans and animal byproducts and uses them to make biodiesel.
Like diesel fuel, biodiesel can be used to fuel cars and trucks. And unlike diesel, biodiesel is a renewable fuel.
"Either we continue to bid up the price of those fossil fuels - fight over those - or we find more quickly ways in which we have sustainable energy resources," said Charles Neece of the Farmer's Union.
Minnesota is at the forefront in promoting biodiesel use. Recent legislation requires all diesel sold in the state to contain at least a two percent biodiesel mix. The new regulation will go into effect next summer, as long as two more plants being built in Albert Lea and Brewster are ready to go by then.
Convincing some people that any diesel fuel is worth a try, though, is an uphill battle. When they think diesel, many are reminded of sluggish, smelly cars from the 70s, or loud buses and trucks spewing black clouds of exhaust into the air.
But biodiesel users like Eureka Recycling in Minneapolis say a lot has changed. They are already using 20 percent biodiesel in their trucks.
"Well, a lot of people say it smells like French fries, which obviously is a good thing. But for us, you know, I know for sure that it's healthier for our drivers and it's healthier for the communities that we're driving through," said Alex Danovitch of Eureka Recycling.
Some current diesel users worry biodiesel will cost more than regular diesel, or cause engine problems.
"Biodiesel actually has a lot of solvent-type qualities to it," said Danovitch. "So we found that our trucks are cleaner than those using conventional petroleum."
"We expect the price to actually go down as the supply becomes more available and more distributors are working with biodiesel," Danovitch said.
Minnesota's two percent biodiesel requirement falls short of the 20 percent recommended by clean-air advocates, but most agree - it's a start.
