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It’s clean
up time

As the population grows, streets become more crowded, supply and demand increases, and more pollution is released into our air.

It’s time to make a shift to biodiesel.

You may be thinking “That doesn’t sound easy,” but there really isn’t much we need to change.

Small shift

Since biodiesel can be used on existing equipment and vehicles AND utilizes existing infrastructure, it’s an easy, environmentally friendly switch that requires no investment in new equipment or infrastructure overhaul.
It’s a small change we can make NOW.

big Impact

The benefits make the shift a no-brainer.

Cleaner Air

Biodiesel is labeled a Clean Air Choice® by the American Lung Association. Compared to petroleum diesel, biodiesel reduces harmful particulate matter and makes our air healthier to breathe.

Health Benefits

Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable. In communities where biodiesel is regularly used, an estimated $1.2 million have been saved by reducing hospitalizations, lost workdays and other health costs.

Economical

It costs no more to operate and maintain vehicles that are fueled with biodiesel. Plus, biodiesel users in Illinois save tax dollars. Biodiesel producers gain federal tax credits as well.

Keeping Jobs in Illinois

Illinois is already one of the largest biodiesel-producing states. Biodiesel production supports nearly 2,000 jobs in all sectors of the Illinois economy and is equipped to grow as demand increases.

Biodiesel also helps to support Illinois’ more than 43,000 soybean farmers.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

Compared with regular diesel fuel, biodiesel generates 78.5% fewer CO2 emissions from production and use. Biodiesel also generates 5.54 units of renewable energy for every unit of fossil energy used to produce it.

At Midway Airport, you may be surprised to smell nothing when standing near the exhaust at the back of an airport shuttle bus running on biodiesel.

So…
what is
Biodiesel?

Biodiesel is a clean-burning, renewable fuel.
Today’s biodiesel is a reliable, high-performance fuel that works in any diesel engine without modifications. It doesn’t hamper fuel efficiency nor create engine maintenance problems. Due to its superior lubricity, biodiesel reduces engine wear and contains higher cetane for enhanced power. It also offers engine cleaning properties. Made locally in Illinois, biodiesel reduces our dependence on foreign oil. It’s made from readily available, renewable resources, including soybean oil and animal fats. Soybean oil is a natural co-product of soybean processing, so biodiesel production does not require additional farmland or take away land from food production. Biodiesel blends are typically used in diesel trucks, buses, and off-road equipment such as tractors and lawn mowers. Many organizations are already using biodiesel such as local municipalities, the Chicago Park District and more.

Learn more about Biodiesel and its impact on Illinois.

Myth vs. fact

Myth or Fact?

Biodiesel shrinks the carbon footprint
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has designated biodiesel an Advanced Biofuel. Biodiesel generates 78.5% fewer CO2 emissions from production use, compared with regular diesel fuel. Biodiesel also contributes to a sustainable environment, is a renewable energy source and has the highest energy balance of any fuel.

Myth or Fact?

Biodiesel reduces emissions providing health benefits to machinery operators, families, co-workers and the general public
Compared with regular diesel fuel, biodiesel has significantly fewer emissions of particulate matter (47% reduction) and other harmful pollutants, allowing it to be labeled a Clean Air Choice® by the American Lung Association. Calculations show that using biodiesel can reduce a community’s overall health costs by lessening the risk of asthma and other respiratory diseases, as biodiesel makes our air healthier to breathe.

Myth or Fact?

Biodiesel doesn’t run as well as petroleum diesel.
The truth is that biodiesel is a reliable, high-performance fuel that works in any diesel engine without modifications. It has higher cetane than U.S. diesel fuel, which means the fuel ignites faster and causes the engine to run better.

Myth or Fact?

Biodiesel production doesn’t take land away from food production.
New crop land is not needed to make biodiesel. It’s produced from co-products and by-products of crops already grown for food and other materials.

Myth or Fact?

Biodiesel doesn’t work in cold weather.
In reality, biodiesel blends (including B20) are used successfully all year in the coldest U.S. climates and since 2003, vehicles fueled with biodiesel have logged billions of problem-free miles.

Want to know more?

Learn more about biodiesel and the positive impact it makes on our health, environment and economy.