Higher biodiesel blends becoming the norm in Iowa

In Iowa, a new state government report shows more than half of Iowa’s fuel retailers carried biodiesel blends in 2016, increasing six percent over 2015. Higher blends are also becoming the norm. Iowa’s proactive state policies have played a crucial role in the growth, helping maintain the state’s position as the number one producer.

The Iowa Department of Revenue released the 2016 Retailers Fuel Gallons Annual Report this month. The report shows during 2016, the amount of on-road biodiesel blends sold equaled 344.8 million gallons, or 54.7 percent of total on-road diesel fuel sales reported. This is up from 308 million gallons, or 48.7 percent of total on-road (clear) diesel fuel sales the previous year.

Also of significance, the report showed twice as many gallons of 11 – 20 percent biodiesel (B11-B20) were sold than of lower blends. In addition, 471 on-road retailers now carry biodiesel in Iowa, up from 405 in 2015.