SPRINGFIELD, IL – An expanded federal initiative and growing customer demand for “green” shippers are expected to accelerate biodiesel use in the trucking industry, according to FarmWeek. Through its new ‘Grow and Go’ program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is educating the industry about biodiesel benefits and matching product shippers with truckers that use the bio-based fuel.

Grow and Go is part of EPA’s SmartWay program, which encourages technologies and strategies aimed at improving fleet energy efficiency while reducing air pollution.

National Biodiesel Board (NBB) outreach director Tom Verry is working with EPA, truck brokers, and other “supply chain” companies. He noted a growing number of transportation firms are seeking biodiesel users for environmentally conscious customers.

For example, Verry said California-based State Logistics, is increasing its business by finding “sustainable” transportation for companies including CLIF Bar, which produces energy bars and drinks. State Logistics transportation manager Matt Mumford said finding high-quality truck-accessible biodiesel supplies can be a challenge for West Coast drivers, according to FarmWeek.

State Logistics purchases an estimated 500 gallons of biodiesel a week. Most of its trucking contractors use a 5- or 20-percent blend, but the company has run two trucks on “B-99” (99 percent biodiesel) for CLIF Bar over the past year.

Under current engine warranties, most truckers won’t run B-99, so State Logistics bought the rigs themselves. To date, Mumford has seen few issues with B-99 beyond isolated starting problems related to a single California cold spell, the report said.

State Logistics also has “paired up” with Eastern companies that use B-5.