BioDiesel

What is biodiesel?
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil, waste grease and/or other plant based greases and oils. It is an exciting alternative to petroleum diesel or "petrodiesel." Biodiesel should not be confused with straight vegetable oil which requires engine modifications.

How is it used?
Biodiesel can be blended with petroleum diesel to heat homes or run any diesel-powered engine, including marine engines.

Why use it?
Biodiesel is cleaner for the environment and less noxious than petroleum diesel. Additionally, it can be produced domestically. A ready supply of biodiesel at a reasonable price could have significant appeal to many Mainers, reducing the state’s reliance on fossil fuels and imported oil.

How is it produced?
Currently, Maine’s biodiesel comes from virgin soy oil imported from the Midwest. Biodiesel can also be made from waste products such as restaurant grease or forestry by-products. A biodiesel refinery in Maine is a win-win--it could lower fuel prices, save some businesses disposal costs, and make a cleaner fuel more accessible to all. For such a refinery to succeed, however, there must be sufficient market for the final product.

Biodiesel for Maine
aims to build market demand for biodiesel to at least 250,000 – 500,000 gallons per year. To achieve this target, BFM will educate large consumers of diesel about the benefits of using biodiesel. BFM will also assess readiness and costs-benefits for these users on an individualized basis. Signed letters of interest will document the demand for biodiesel. With the environmental and economic costs of traditional diesel fuels escalating, BFM can educate potential users about the benefits of biodiesel for Maine.

Where can I get it?
Biodiesel today can be purchased at the pump, just like traditional diesel and gassoline. The following Maine retailers offer biodiesel.