Diesel with a difference

Biodiesel blend available at local gas station

In an age of rising fuel prices and increasing environmental awareness, one Kalispell service station is embracing alternative fuel.

Michael's West Exxon at 1011 U.S. 2, now offers B5, a blend of 5 percent biodiesel (made from soybeans) and 95 percent petroleum diesel. This is the first station in the Flathead Valley to offer a biodiesel blend to the general public.

Michael Hayes, owner of the service station, said he looked into biodiesel after hearing people complain about having nowhere in the area to buy it .

"There are people out there who want to make their little difference, whatever that may be," Hayes said. "I'm impressed that people care enough about the environment to complain about it."

However, there have not been enough complaints for Hayes to install a biodiesel pump at his second station at 1645 U.S. 93 South. Installation here, he said, would depend on how successful sales were at Michael's West.

Long a proponent of alternative fuel sources, Gov. Brian Schweitzer will pump a few ceremonial gallons at Michael's West on Jan. 24.

"He is excited to participate in the event," said Adam Pimley, deputy director of communications in the governor's office. "He hopes that it brings a little more excitement and awareness around biodiesel."

Proponents say biodiesel improves air quality by creating fewer emissions. According to the National Biodiesel Board, using the alternative fuel "essentially eliminates" sulfur emissions.

And because it has a biological source, carbon in biodiesel emissions is recycled from carbon already present in the atmosphere rather than taken from fossil fuels. Furthermore, carbon monoxide emissions are about 48 percent lower from pure biodiesel (B100) than from pure petroleum diesel, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

Hayes was excited about these reduced environmental impacts. He was also intrigued by using renewable resources instead of fossil fuels.

"In my business, it's not often that you get to do something to help the environment," he said. "When you're in the fuel business, you can't help but think about sustainable resources."

Biodiesel is produced by separating glycerin from animal fat or vegetable oil. When the glycerin is removed, methyl esters - biodiesel - are left behind.

Biodiesel is available commercially in its pure form but is more commonly found as a blend, like the B5 at Michael's West. It can be blended with diesel fuel at any level.

Hayes originally offered B20, a blend that was 20 percent biodiesel. However, he changed his blend because drivers wanted a smaller blend. Plus, B5 still has environmental benefits.

"I offered the best product I could find, and with the most biodiesel, thinking the more biodiesel I used, the more good I'd be doing," he said. "But it's surprising what 5 percent can do."

Although all equipment in Glacier National Park has run on biodiesel for the last couple of years, this is the first time a biodiesel blend has been offered commercially in the Flathead Valley, said Drew Pike, a field representative for fuel distributor CityServiceValcon.

Biodiesel also is available in Belgrade, Bozeman and Missoula.

"We think it's a great product," said Paul Miller, president of Sustainable Systems, a Missoula-based company that manufactures products made from renewable resources and the impetus behind biodiesel being offered in Missoula. "We have a loyal customer base that keeps coming back to it."

In addition to improving air quality, biodiesel can improve engine performance.

"A lot of people say, 'I'm going to pay more for it, so why should I do it? To help the environment?'" Pike said. "Well that, yes, and it's a better-performing product."

Biodiesel gives engines higher lubricity. A blend of 1 percent biodiesel and 99 percent petroleum diesel can increase lubricity by at least 30 percent, according to Sustainable Systems.

Using biodiesel can actually extend engine life, Hayes said. It slows corrosion, removes deposits and burns cleaner than regular diesel.

"It is a great product, a very consistent high-quality product," he said.

Biodiesel can be used in most diesel engines without modifications. This can vary, though, depending on the percentage of biodiesel in the blend and the vehicle's age.

"Biodiesel works as a cleansing agent that could break down rubber," said Amber Thurlo Pearson, communications specialist for the National Biodiesel Board. "In an older vehicle, 1994 or older, you'll want to replace the natural rubber components in your engine if you're using high-blend or pure biodiesel."

One thing that might deter drivers from using biodiesel, though, is price. Biodiesel blends are typically more expensive than petroleum diesel.

At Michael's Exxon West, biodiesel is $2.59 per gallon, while regular diesel is $2.44.

"Biodiesel is coming down in price to make it closer to regular diesel," Thurlo Pearson said. "Biodiesel might still be a little bit more, but that gap in general is decreasing."

Part of the reason is the biodiesel tax incentive, a federal excise tax credit equal to one penny per percent of biodiesel in a fuel blend. For the B5 offered at Michael's Exxon West, that means 5 cents per gallon of biodiesel.

The incentive is offered to fuel distributors.

However, biodiesel is still more expensive than petroleum diesel for fuel distributors and consumers alike.

"Even though they're giving us a tax incentive, it still doesn't close the gap," Pike said.

For Hayes, some things are more important than closing that gap.

"We're not adding something to save money," he said. "We're adding something to increase performance and reduce emissions."

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com