Why Biofuel?

After years of relative obscurity, biofuels, such as biodiesel, are once again emerging as the preferred fuel for diesel engines. Biofuels can provide a comprehensive solution to the important energy, environmental, and societal challenges we face today as well as meet future energy needs.

Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Global Warming

Biofuels can address the growing concerns regarding global warming and the harmful effects of greenhouse gases. Moving to cleaner, carbon-neutral biofuels like biodiesel is essential to reducing greenhouse gases and global warming.

Relative Greenhouse Gas Emissions

B100 = 100% Biodiesel
B20 = 20%

Source: “A comparison of Alternative Fuels,” Alternative Fuel Vehicle Program, 8/13/2001 Reduce Dependence on Foreign Oil Many countries, including the United States, view biofuels as a way to reduce their dependence on foreign oil and protect them from the effects of the political instability present in many of the major oil-producing countries.

Enable Environmentally Friendly Vehicles

Consumers today want to purchase environmentally friendly vehicles, and demand for green vehicles is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years. The growth in green transportation signals a rapidly growing market for retail fuel service stations that offer biofuel products in addition to the traditional petroleum-based fuel products.

Reduce Air Pollution

Many major municipalities in the United States are plagued with air pollution and have begun imposing strict clean air requirements. These municipalities see biofuels as a possible solution to their air pollution problems. Biofuel is a completely biodegradable, clean-burning fuel that minimizes unburned hydrocarbon and sulfate pollutants, poses no significant pollution risks, and is available today.

Provide Renewable, Low-Cost Fuel for Developed and Developing Countries

The world needs dependable, sustainable, and renewable energy to maintain current living standards in the developed world and to meet aspirations in developing countries, including China and India, whose fast economic growth and enormous populations put them on track to quickly become some of the world’s largest energy consumers.

In developed countries, biofuels can reduce harmful carbon emissions, protect consumers from price shocks, create jobs, and encourage investments in new technologies. In developing countries, biofuel can be used in rural areas to run generators in shops and homes, creating jobs and bringing the economic and societal advantages that clean energy provides to developing communities.