Minnesota's mandated biodiesel law is on temporary hold while biodiesel producers get to the bottom of repeated fuel filter clogging reported by the state's truckers. Minnesota requires biodiesel be blended into all diesel fuel sold in the state so the clogging is a serious issue. Tests show a higher glycerin content in some biodiesel causing the biodiesel to fail cold weather requirements though the specific cause of the problems is as yet undetermined.
The state's soybean growers are concerned since much of the state's biodiesel is soybean based.
The episode has stunned Minnesota's soybean growers, who have spent the week scrambling for technical advice. They envisioned biodiesel as a clean, green alternative fuel that would deliver rich benefits, and worked to make Minnesota the first — and only — state to require a biodiesel blend in every gallon of diesel sold.
But now, farm groups are willing to have state officials waive the law temporarily, if it would get to the bottom of the problem. Minnesota is the nation's leading biodiesel producer.