Iowa Trucking Group Wants Better Biodiesel Regulation

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he Iowa Motor Truck Association wants better regulation of biodiesel quality and said that incentives for retailers are a key to using the renewable fuel in the state, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported Friday.

Not many major motor carriers in the state are using biodiesel, because of concerns about the fuel labeling and quality, according to IMTA President Scott Weiser, the Gazette reported.

Weiser said Minnesota had shown a wrong example of how to regulate biodiesel when passing a requirement that diesel sold in that state contain at least 2% biodiesel in 2005, the paper said.

Minesota’s law was halted over the winter when truckers complained the fuel was clogging filters in cold weather, though the requirement resumed in February. (Click here for previous coverage.)

Weiser said biodiesel with too much glycerine could clog fuel filters, but biodiesel manufactured to appropriate standards should not cause problems for Iowa truckers at up to 5% soy diesel, and said truckers want to use the fuel, the Gazette reported.