Biodiesel cars fuel interest in soybeans

Thanks to hefty petroleum prices, a tax incentive that began this year and a desire for cleaner-burning alternative fuels, biodiesel plants are popping up nationwide.

While still a fraction of petroleum output, the National Biodiesel Board expects that 75 million gallons of biodiesel — which also can be made from other plant products and used cooking oils — will be produced nationwide this year. That is three times the amount made last year and 38 times the production in 2000. In September, Minnesota became the first state to require that all diesel sold in the state be mixed with at least 2 percent biodiesel.

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