Senate passes biodiesel requirement bill

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Stouffer, would enact the requirement April 1, 2010. It now goes to the House.

Biodiesel from soybeans is more environmentally friendly and better for air quality than regular diesel, according to a news release from Gov. Matt Blunt. B-5 cuts carbon dioxide and carcinogenic emissions by more than 75 percent, according to the release, and a B-5 standard in Missouri would reduce particulate matter emissions by 15.4 million pounds and carbon monoxide emissions by 168 million pounds.

See SBJ’s March 31 issue for an in-depth look at how rising diesel prices are affecting local trucking companies, and how some are adopting sustainable practices to cut costs.