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John Deere To Use B2 Biodiesel Fuel In U.S.
Manufacturing Plants
Released Feb. 1, 2005 by National Biodiesel Board
FT. LAUDERDALE,
Fla. – John Deere announced today that it plans to use B2, a
blend of two percent biodiesel fuel, as the preferred factory-fill in
its diesel propelled machines made in the United States. John Deere
representatives shared the announcement with more than 1,000 biodiesel
enthusiasts from across the country gathered for the 2005 National
Biodiesel Conference & Expo, taking place Jan. 30 – Feb. 2 at the
Broward County Convention Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
“This a big step forward in confirming our commitment for the use of
biodiesel fuel,” says Don Borgman, manager market planning and
customer integration, John Deere Ag Marketing Center. “Our
manufacturing plants in the U.S. will use B2 biodiesel for fueling
tractors, combines, self-propelled sprayers, and other diesel powered
machines.”
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel that can be made from any fat or
vegetable oil, such as soybean oil. It works in any diesel engine with
few or no modifications and can be used in pure form or blended with
petroleum diesel at any level. The Department of Energy (DOE) calls
biodiesel the fastest growing alternative fuel in the country.
“Working with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), we are promoting the
use of B2 fuel because it is readily available and meets the high
quality fuel standards that we have set for our engines, and it is a
positive step toward adoption of renewable fuels,” says Borgman. “If
B2 were used in all diesel engines in the U.S., the United States
could displace the equivalent of about 1 billion gallons of foreign
oil per year. That could, in turn, translate to some very significant
increases in the demand for crops from which biodiesel is made, like
soybeans and other natural fats and oils grown right here in the
United States.”
John Deere plans to transition the B2 biodiesel fuel into its U.S.
plants before the end of 2005. The John Deere tractor assembly plant,
Waterloo Works, in Waterloo, IA and its combine manufacturing plant,
Harvester Works, in East Moline, IL will be the first to begin using
the B2 fuel with implementation by March 1, 2005. All agricultural
tractors and combines will be shipped with the B2 biodiesel fuel to
dealers and customers direct from the factory.
John Deere also plans to publicize its fuel specs and actively
encourage its customers to continue to use the B2 formula in their own
operations as well.
“John Deere is an international leader in agriculture and technology.
For John Deere to embrace biodiesel in this way is a powerful step
that will help raise awareness and increase use of biodiesel,” said
Joe Jobe, executive director of the National Biodiesel Board. “This
decision is a demonstration of John Deere’s commitment to improving
America’s energy situation, environmental impact, and economic growth
through renewable agricultural fuels like biodiesel.”
“I’d like to thank John Deere for showing such strong support for
biodiesel by making B2 the preferred factory-fill in all its diesel
propelled machines in the United States,” commented Darryl Brinkmann,
NBB Chairman. “This is a big day for biodiesel in what’s become a
monumental year for this American-grown fuel.” Bolstered by growing
acceptance of biodiesel among Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
and the opportunities offered by a new biodiesel tax credit that went
into effect on January 1, 2005, the NBB expects to see a significant
increase in demand for biodiesel over the next few years.
Based in Jefferson City, Mo., the NBB is a nonprofit trade association
dedicated to coordinating the biodiesel industry and educating the
public about the fuel. NBB membership is comprised of state, national,
and international feedstock and processor organizations; biodiesel
suppliers; fuel marketers and distributors; and technology providers.
NBB is largely led by soybean producers who contribute their checkoff
dollars to biodiesel development.
More than 500 major fleets use biodiesel commercially nationwide. Over
300 retail filling stations also make biodiesel available to the
public, and hundreds of petroleum distributors carry it nationwide.
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