UNION, Maine -- Maritime Energy said that biodiesel is now available at its Union, Maine, Maritime Farms convenience store. The cleaner-burning fuel is domestically produced from renewable resources like soybean oil.
Just like petroleum diesel, biodiesel operates in compression-ignition engines, including cars, trucks, heavy equipment and boats. Pure biodiesel can be used as a fuel in diesel engines, and is compatible with existing storage and distribution equipment. Biodiesel can also be blended with petroleum diesel at any level, such as the common 20% [image-nocss] blend, called B20. These blends (20% or less) require no engine modifications and can provide the same payload capacity and range as regular diesel fuel.
According to John Ware Sr., president of Rockland, Maine-based Maritime Energy, the performance benefits of biodiesel include superior lubricity, even at low-blend levels, which reduces equipment wear and premature breakdown. In more than 30 million miles of in-field demonstrations, B20 showed similar fuel consumption, horsepower, torque and haulage rates as conventional diesel fuel. Additional benefits when used in boats are reduced diesel exhaust odor, and if spilled B20 biodegrades twice as fast in water as regular diesel fuel.
We're very proud and excited to introduce this new fuel product to Midcoast Maine, said Ware. Although we cannot solve the world energy problems alone, we are pleased to do our part by offering an environmentally friendly and renewable energy product.
Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have completed the rigorous EPA Tier I and Tier II health effects testing. Studies have found that B20 (20% BioDiesel blended with 80% conventional diesel fuel) reduced total hydrocarbons by an average of 20%, carbon monoxide by 12%, and total particulate matter by 12%. In addition, emissions from biodiesel are safer if inhaled, and reduce the cancer risk from diesel exhaust by almost 20% when using B20. For every one unit of energy needed to produce biodiesel, 3.2 units of energy are gained, giving it the highest energy balance of any fuel available today. It is domestically produced from renewable resources, thereby benefiting our nations' farmers and reducing our dependence on foreign petroleum by 20% when using B20, the company said.
Maritime Energy is a family owned independent fuel company that services Knox, Waldo and Lincoln Counties in Maine. Maritime Energy operates convenience stores, Maritime Farms, which are located throughout Midcoast Maine. Currently, biodiesel will be available only at the one Union location.
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