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Feb 3, 2006 2:34 PM

The Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) is expressing concerns following a situation in Minnesota where the biodiesel inventory contained more total glycerin than permitted under the ASTM D6751 standard for pure biodiesel.

“We need to be sure that biodiesel lives up to its advance billing,” says David Bradley, OTA president. “We can’t afford a situation like what has occurred in Minnesota. If our trucks can’t start because of clogged filters, then assembly lines will shut-down.”

In December at the request of the Minnesota Biodiesel Council, the governor suspended the program for a three-week period to try and determine the source of the problem. The suspension has since been extended to February 10.

For the past couple of years, OTA has been expressing concern that Ontario’s stated desire to mandate the use of a two-percent biodiesel blend is premature. OTA wants more research on the fuel usage in Ontario.

OTA said it has consistently argued that further examination is required to answer trucking industry questions over operational and cost concerns. Among the key operational concerns, for example, is over the cold weather performance of biodiesel.

The Province of Ontario said its biodiesel would focus more on animal fat based product than soy based product, OTA said.