Environmental Benefits
In 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to
have successfully completed the EPA-required Tier I and Tier II health
effects testing under the Clean Air Act. These independent tests conclusively
demonstrated biodiesel’s significant reduction of virtually all
regulated emissions, and showed biodiesel does not pose a threat to human
health.
Biodiesel contains no sulfur or aromatics, and use of biodiesel in a conventional
diesel engine results in substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons,
carbon monoxide and particulate matter. A U.S. Department of Energy study
showed that the production and use of biodiesel, compared to petroleum
diesel, resulted in a 78.5% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover,
biodiesel has a positive energy balance. For every unit of energy needed
to produce a gallon of biodiesel, 3.24 units of energy are gained.
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