City of Austin

Biodiesel is making a comeback in Texas, and Central Texas Clean Cities is inviting area petroleum distributors and fleets to learn more at a workshop Tuesday, January 17, at the Central Austin Embassy Suites Hotel.

Clean Cities is partnering with Texas biodiesel producer Renewable Energy Group and wholesale biodiesel distributor Bosselman Energy to discuss industry updates and business opportunities, as well as highlight the area’s biodiesel blending terminal locations. The workshops follow a December 2011 announcement by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) which removes the requirement to use additional additives with biodiesel blends.

“For fuel retailers, petroleum distributors, or large public or private fleets, the time is right to take a look at biodiesel. We want to do these workshops early in the year so our members and partners can get all their biodiesel questions answered,” said Clean Cities Coalition Coordinator Stacy Neef. “By working with a biodiesel producer and a terminal operator we are offering an entire supply chain solution that this area has not been able to take advantage of in the past. This is great time to integrate biodiesel into any fleet.”

Biodiesel blends operate in diesel engines, from light to heavy-duty, just like petroleum diesel. B20 works in any diesel engine with few or no modifications to the engine or the fuel system, and provides similar horsepower, torque, and mileage as diesel.

Fleet fuel managers are encouraged to bring their current diesel supplier with them in order to quickly take advantage of biodiesel blending opportunities. Events will be held at the following dates/locations and are open to any petroleum distributor, fuel retailer, Texas Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association member, or public or private fleet managers.

Monday, January 16, 2012 in Dallas Tuesday, January 17, 2012 in Austin Wednesday, January 18, 2012 in San Antonio Thursday, January 19, 2012 in Houston

To see a full agenda and register for any of the four Texas biodiesel workshops, visit http://www.regi.com/rsvp/texas

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from agricultural byproducts and co-products such as soybean oil, and other fats and oils. It is the only domestically produced, commercially available product to meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s definition of an advanced biofuel in the U.S., and supports 39,000 American jobs according to the National Biodiesel Board.

Renewable Energy Group, the nation’s largest biodiesel producer, has a 35 million gallon per year facility in the Houston suburb of Seabrook, TX.