Iowa Biodiesel Mandate Dies in Committee

A proposed 5% biodiesel mandate has died in the Iowa state legislature, the Fort Dodge Messenger reported.

The bill had been approved by the senate in spring 2009, but it was recently defeated in the house environmental protection committee, the Messenger said.

Representatives from the trucking industry, including officials from Decker Truck Line, Fort Dodge, Iowa, told lawmakers that biodiesel blends perform less efficiently than pure diesel. The fuel also may gel in cold weather, causing engines to stop working, the Messenger said.

American Trucking Associations told its members in its Truckline newsletter that the association supports voluntary use of biodiesel blends, but opposes alternative fuel mandates.