Illinois Soybean Farmers and Illinois Department of Transportation Team Up to Increase Biodiesel Awareness

Date Posted: Jun. 10, 2008

BLOOMINGTON, IL—This summer, Illinois fuel users will find out what Illinois soybean farmers have been saying for years, biodiesel is good for their engines. With biodiesel set to be labeled at Illinois pumps on July 1, the Illinois Soybean Association is helping diesel users take notice of this American grown fuel and the benefits it has for your engine.

“Biodiesel has been on the scene for more than ten years and has billions of miles under its belt,” said David Hartke, chairman of the Illinois Soybean Association and soybean grower from Teutopolis, IL. “Made from renewable feedstocks like soybeans, biodiesel is helping fuel America, while leaving the protein of soybeans to feed the world.”

Soybeans, which are made of roughly 80 percent protein and 20 percent oil, can be used for both oil and feed consumption purposes.

Soybean farmers aren’t the only ones taking note of biodiesel’s renewable qualities. The Illinois Department of Transportation already runs B5 (5 percent biodiesel, 95 percent petroleum diesel) in their engines, and plans to showcase biodiesel on their 1,500 diesel vehicles via bumper stickers from the Illinois Soybean Association.

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