Oregon is about to become the second state to require that most of the diesel sold there contain at least 5 percent biodiesel (B5), according to the National Biodiesel Board.


The state has already had a 2 percent biodiesel (B2) requirement in effect. Oregon's B5 requirement was scheduled to be triggered when the in-state production capacity reached 15 million gallons annually, which the biodiesel plants recently accomplished. The requirement will generate about 25 million gallons of biodiesel demand annually.

The new statewide requirement takes effect April 1, but the City of Portland has required B5 since July 2007.

Minnesota was the first state to pass a B2 biodiesel requirement, which has since increased to B5. The state's required volume of biodiesel is scheduled to rise to B10 by 2012, and B20 by 2015.

Washington and Pennsylvania both have a B2 requirement in effect. Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts and New Mexico have all passed similar legislation that hasn't yet taken effect.