Toolkit Clears Path for Greater Biodiesel Use in Minnesota
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) welcomes a new resource published by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal to support greater use of 100% biodiesel, or B100, in public and private fleets across the state. The Biodiesel Fire Code Variance Toolkit was developed in collaboration with MDA, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and the Minnesota Department of Administration.
Made from renewable resources including soybean oil, B100 offers fleets a homegrown alternative to petroleum diesel. For fleets that rely on trucks, buses, snowplows, and other heavy-duty vehicles, B100 offers a practical, near-term way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, diversify fuel supplies, and advance sustainability goals.
As one of the nation’s leading soybean-producing states, Minnesota has also been a leader in incorporating biodiesel into its diesel fuel supply. The state’s B20 blending mandate, in effect during the warmer months, requires most diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to contain 20% biodiesel between April and September.
“Expanding access to B100 creates another important domestic market for the soybeans grown by Minnesota farmers,” said Joe Smentek, executive director of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association (MSGA). “This toolkit brings us one step closer to giving more fleets the option to use a reliable, renewable fuel produced here at home. MSGA appreciates the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s work on making this a reality for heavy-duty diesel fleets."
The Minnesota State Fire Code requires all fuel-dispensing equipment to be listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the fuel being dispensed. Although manufacturers have confirmed that their equipment is compatible with B100, formal equipment listings have not kept pace with growing interest among Minnesota’s public and private fleets. Because no complete fuel-dispensing systems are currently listed for biodiesel blends above 20%, fleets must obtain a fire code variance before installing and operating B100 fuel-dispensing systems.
The new toolkit provides fleet operators and local fire officials with a clear roadmap for navigating the variance process. It identifies the site plans, fuel specifications, equipment information, and manufacturer compatibility documentation that local officials may need when reviewing variance requests.
“Through strong collaboration across state agencies, we’ve made progress working with the State Fire Marshal to create a more streamlined process for fleets and local fire officials navigating requests to dispense biodiesel blends above 20%,” said Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen. “Removing this practical barrier strengthens our state’s renewable fuels industry.”
This interagency collaboration advances the Walz-Flanagan administration’s Minnesota Climate Action Framework, first published in 2022 and updated in 2026. The framework calls for a safe, equitable and sustainable transportation system, including continued innovation in clean fuels and technologies. By helping more fleets use B100, the toolkit supports those goals while strengthening demand for renewable fuel produced from Minnesota-grown soybeans.
As public and private fleets look for ways to manage costs amid high and volatile diesel prices, interest in B100 is growing, particularly for heavy-duty vehicles that may be more difficult or costly to electrify. “B100 biodiesel is a creative solution to a common challenge other agencies are facing — how do we reduce emissions from heavy-duty fleet vehicles while maintaining service levels and doing it cost-effectively?" said Marisa Bayer, sustainability manager for the City of Edina. "The City of Edina upfitted ten of our higher diesel-consuming assets, creating the opportunity to reduce fuel costs and meaningfully offset diesel fuel use and its harmful emissions. With this toolkit, other fleet operators will be able to better navigate the regulatory hurdles we faced when implementing B100 in our fleet."
Fleet operators interested in storing and dispensing biodiesel blends above 20% are encouraged to review the Biodiesel Fire Code Variance Toolkit and contact their local fire department or fire code official early in the planning process. The toolkit is available on the Biodiesel Dispensing page of the State Fire Marshal website.
Questions about the variance process may be directed to Deputy Fire Marshal for the Department of Public Safety, Tony Clafton, at Tony.Clafton@state.mn.us.
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Media Contact
Nikki Warner, MDA Communications
651-238-7909
Nikki.Warner@state.mn.us
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