Minn. station celebrates state's first biodiesel blender pumps
Photo: Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
November 13, 2013
BY Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council
Thanks to Staples Enterprises, motorists traveling through Heron Lake, Minn., now have even more biodiesel choices to fill their tanks.
The Heron Lake convenience store recently held an open house and biodiesel promotion to draw attention to its biodiesel blends and to promote the benefits of biodiesel. The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council and Brewster-based Minnesota Soybean Processors supported installation of the blender pumps. The pumps, the first biodiesel blender pumps in operation in Minnesota, provide diesel customers with multiple fuel blends containing up to 20 percent biodiesel.
Customers stopping by Staples Enterprises during the open house took advantage of special pump savings on biodiesel and registered to win up to $500 in biodiesel certificates.
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“The store and the blender pumps have actually been in operation since January and we’re promoting biodiesel now during our fall celebration,” said Daric Zimmerman, retail marketing director for Staples Enterprises. “With these pumps, we now carry up to five blends of biodiesel here at our Heron Lake store.”
Biodiesel, made primarily from the oil of Minnesota-grown soybeans, has been successfully added to every gallon of diesel sold in the state. Biodiesel is the only domestically produced, commercially available fuel that meets the criteria of an advanced biofuel. Biodiesel can be used in existing engines and fuel injection equipment in blends up to 20 percent with no modifications.
According to Zimmerman, it was important for Staples Enterprises to continue its support of the local markets in which it operates. “We felt that the installation of these blender pumps helped further show our commitment to the area and the local producers.”
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The Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council is a nonprofit organization controlled by a board of elected soybean producers from across the state who directs the investments of the state’s soybean checkoff dollars into programs designed to increase the profitability of Minnesota’s soybean farmers.
For more information on biodiesel or the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, click here.
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