I was delighted to hear the word Biodiesel when it came out of the President’s mouth in his last State of the Union Address. I thought it would give new light to this renewable resource. Unfortunately, there is another fuel that gets most of the fame and fortune these days, E85. No matter where you are when a speech from a political figure or auto company addresses the wonders of biofuels, E85 takes the podium while Biodiesel hangs out behind the curtain. Biodiesel has always taken second place to its buddy E85. Here in Minnesota all diesel has a 2% Biodiesel blend, do you see our friend’s name on any of those pumps? There is no recognition of Biodiesel anywhere and a lot people have no idea that it is blended with diesel. I remember filling up my old diesel in Iowa, I looked down and saw a Biodiesel sticker stating a 2% blend. I was caught off guard and realized that these are no where to be found in Minnesota. But, what do you see on all gasoline pumps? There is always a 10% Ethanol stamp somewhere on that pump. What gives?
People have compared Biodiesel and E85 for their feasibility in the economy and how we should market the two together. But in reality these fuels are not related. A lot of people lump these two in the same family to make it easier for the general public to understand their purpose. Yes, they both are made from farm grown products. Yes, they both lower green house gas emissions, but that is where their hand holding stops. Biodiesel is made by a chemical reaction, used in a completely different engine and is less toxic than table salt. Where as E85 needs to be refined, used in combustion engines and will give you a bad hangover. Either way the promotion of both fuels is a step in the right direction, but I feel our focus is on the wrong product.
An initiative was recently passed here in Minnesota called 25x25. This initiative is leading the nation with the goal to have all power in Minnesota supplied by 25% of renewable energy by 2025. Details can be found in Governor Pawlenty’s The Next Generation Renewable Energy Objective. Near the back of the Renewable Energy Objective (REO) is an initiative that Pawlenty has proposed called the E85 Everywhere program. This program would increase the number of E85 pumps in the state from 300 to 1800 by 2010. Grants would be issued to station owners for installation of the ethanol pumps. The details of the grants are not yet developed, but to install an E85 pump is on average $20,000. A fuel station owner can currently receive up to 50% of the project paid for through these grants. If you do the math that is $15M of possible state grant money used towards the E85 Everywhere program by 2010. Where does Biodiesel fit into this puzzle? The advancement of E85 is tremendous, but the promotion and distribution of Biodiesel into retail fuel stations is easier and definitely less costly than E85, yet the state is reluctant to give any incentive for stations to sell it. Biodiesel does not need a separate pump; it can be put into the station’s current tanks. Diesel autos and trucks do not need to be Flex-fuel certified; it can go right into a tank without any modifications. A simple mix of B20 (20% Biodiesel) in all diesel engines will greatly reduce life-cycle Carbon Dioxide compared to standard petroleum diesel. Also, B20 will easily run without gelling in the winter months and has been proven in a case study by the state of Minnesota – B20 MN Case Study.
We should not assume that Biodiesel and E85 are in the same family. They may be buddies, but they’re not brothers. I feel Biodiesel gets the short end of the prairie grass whenever biofuels are in the media. We need to realize the feasibility and ease of use that Biodiesel provides and not let E85 take all the light. Better promotion and education of Biodiesel wihtout E85 by its side will provide a better opportunity for this great fuel to reach the public.
