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Minnesota B20 mandate moves ahead

Minnesota is moving forward with a renewable fuels initiative supporters say will boost soybean profits and reduce emissions.

Ag Commissioner Dave Frederickson tells Brownfield Minnesota’s B20 mandate calls for 20 percent blends of biodiesel during the summer months beginning May first, 2018.

“The law has been in place for several years and it says that we’re to ratchet-up by this time.  We’ve actually extended the (increase) one year to get us to this point.”

He says the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Pollution Control and Commerce determined there’s a sufficient supply of biodiesel and blending capabilities are in place.

Pollution Control Commissioner John Linc-Stine says the move to higher biodiesel blends is better for the environment.

“When we lower our pollutant load in the air from cleaner fuels, we’re actually helping people’s health.”

Linc-Stine calls biodiesel a more efficient fuel as well.

Minnesota Soybean Growers Association president Mike Petefish tells Brownfield farmers welcome the decision.

“It’s estimated biodiesel adds 63 cents per-bushel to a bushel of soybeans.  If Minnesota is now going to double its consumption, and if other states also double consumption, you can see what that would do to the price of soybeans and to a farmer’s bottom-line.”

Next year, B20 will be available at Minnesota gas stations throughout the summer.

In 2019 and beyond, B20 availability will expand from April to September.

Brownfield interviewed Frederickson, Linc-Stine and Petefish during Farmfest earlier this month.

 

Dave Frederickson audio:

John Linc-Stine audio:

 

Mike Petefish audio: