1. BIODIESEL PROVIDES AMERICAN ENERGY SECURITY
Biodiesel provides work for our nation’s farmers and our local communities. It is made from domestically grown soy and vegetable waste oils collected from restaurants. It can be produced in the US using crops grown domestically that will
benefit American farmers (soy, canola, mustard, cotton seed, walnuts,
flax, etc.).
We now send 60c of every $1 we spend on petroleum out of the US. By using biodiesel, we could help keep billions of dollars and thousands of jobs in this country.
See Energy Security Benefits for more on this topic.
2. BIODIESEL’S LOWER EMISSIONS PROMOTE BETTER HEALTH
Biodiesel lowers pollutant risks to our residents and costs to clean the air, ground and waterways of diesel pollutants and improperly disposed waste. Biodiesel lowers harmful carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbon levels by 50 to 100%. It thus reduces soot, smog, and cancer-causing compounds. Biodiesel has had a complete evaluation of potential health effects approved by EPA under the Clean Air Act.
- Sulfur (Causes respiratory disease and contributes to acid rain) = 100% reduction
- Particulate matter (Black soot and smoke exhaust) = 47% reduction
- Carcinogenic potential = 94% reduction
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2) (primary greenhouse gas contributing to global warming) = 78% reduction -- See Greenhouse Gas Benefits for more on this topic
- Hydrocarbon emissions (volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which form harmful ozone) = 85% reduction
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) = 48% reduction
3. BIODIESEL OFFERS A HIGH ENERGY BALANCE
Pure biodiesel has the highest BTU content of any alternative fuel, and the highest energy balance of any fuel. Every unit of fossil energy needed to produce biodiesel yields at least 3.2 units of energy (based on soy based biodiesel-- higher still from more efficient crops). By comparison, every unit of fossil energy needed to produce gasoline and diesel fuel yields only about .8 of a unit of energy.
4. BIODIESEL REQUIRES NO ENGINE MODIFICATION
Biodiesel is the one alternative energy we can use now. It requires no new vehicles, pumps, or infrastructure. Higher lubricity adds more life to your engine, particularly the new ultra low sulfur diesel required for 2006. Higher solvency may require a few minor modifications in older diesel vehicles. It mixes easily with petroleum diesel at ANY level. It has higher cetane, similar power and torque, and meets ASTM standards.
5. BIODIESEL IS THE SAFEST FUEL
100% pure biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable. Its flash point is 150° higher than diesel, making it the safest fuel on the market. It is 10 times less toxic than salt, and it biodegrades quickly.
6. BIODIESEL OFFERS EPACT BENEFITS
Congress approved the use of biodiesel as an Energy Policy Act compliance strategy in 1998. The legislation allows EPAct-covered fleets to meet their alternative fuel vehicle purchase requirements simply by buying 450 gallons of 100% biodiesel and burning it in a 20% or higher blend with diesel fuel in vehicles over 8,500 pounds.
7. BIODIESEL TURNS “WASTE” INTO ENERGY
Biodiesel can be produced cheaply from widely available and recyclable feedstocks. Many of these feedstocks are by-products that until now have had little market value; they include waste cooking oil, yellow grease, mustard seed, canola, and soy bean oil.
8. BIODIESEL AIDS REGIONAL INDEPENDENCE
By supporting biodiesel, everyone in the region wins. Farmers and restaurant owners get more value for their work. Cities get cleaner and a higher tax base. The job base gets larger and children get healthier. The energy created within any region stays in that region, which makes good economic sense. The Department of Energy recognizes biodiesel as the fastest growing alternative fuel in the US.
9. BIODIESEL AIDS OIL SPILL CLEAN-UP
Biodiesel can be used to “cling” to petroleum in spills; it increases the breakdown rate of petroleum components.
10. BIODIESEL OFFERS ENERGY FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
The diesel engine is the backbone for most developing nations. Basic necessities are based around the price of fuel. Building a biodiesel infrastructure in the U.S paves the way for our poorer neighbors to clean their environment while creating jobs and energy.
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