A handful of biodiesel pumps have opened in the past few months. Biodiesel Magazine highlights those companies from coast-to-coast in North America.

In Massachusetts, R.M. Packer Company, with support from the Vineyard Conservation Society, has opened two biodiesel pumps. A Shell Station in Tisbury and DeBettencourt's in Oak Bluffs both sell soy-based B20. The company also sells B100 from its bulk terminal in Tisbury. According to Ralph Packer, the company purchases its biodiesel from an associate dealer, which is supplied by World Energy.

In Fort Worth, Texas, Envirosol BioDiesel on Commerce Street started selling B100 made from cottonseed oil. Envirosol receives its biodiesel from Sun Cotton Biofuels, which uses cottonseed oil byproduct from Motley Mill & Cube, a company that turns cottonseeds into animal feed pellets. "I think we're the only ones with biodiesel made out of cottonseed oil," Envirosol Owner Joe McHamey said. Envirosol is currently selling only B100, but McHamey said other biodiesel blends would be available by June 1.

In Fort Wayne, Ind., Ag Plus is currently constructing a retail facility on Production Drive that will offer soy-based B2 and B20 blends to the public, possibly by July. The company is also building a nearby bulk plant to deliver large biodiesel shipments to farmers and commercial customers. The retail pump will include a 24-hour cardlock system. According to Ag Plus Petroleum Manager Neil Wolfgang, the facility will also offer ultra-low sulfur diesel next year. Ag Plus receives its biodiesel from refiner Countrymark Co-op. Peter Cremer North America and West Central are Countrymark's suppliers.

In Teutopolis, Ill., Wessel's Grocery is offering soy-based B11 at its retail facility. According to owner John Wessel, the 11 percent blend is ideal for vehicles with no modification. Price was also an issue for Wessel's consumers, as the cost of biodiesel rises with higher blends. Wessel's Grocery receives its biodiesel from Effingham Clay Service Company and Effingham Equity. Although consumers can obtain biodiesel in bulk, Wessel's is the first company in the area to offer biodiesel at a retail outlet.

In Seattle, Wash., Laurelhurst Oil opened two biodiesel pumps in the city's University District. Both will offer soy-based B99 because stations can't offer B100 and receive a tax credit to pass savings on to consumers, according to a company spokesman. Laurelhurst Oil has applied for a blenders license for additional cost savings. Most of the biodiesel will come from Seattle Biodiesel LLC, a 2 mmgy facility, while some biodiesel will be shipped from the Midwest. Seaport Petroleum and Pacific Northwest Energy are Laurelhurst Oil's suppliers.