Jeff Allen

"With a soy biodiesel fuel blend now available at the Indian River Marina, we are one step closer to improving our coastal water quality and preserving the scenic beauty of Delaware's waterways."

Indian River Marina Opens Biodiesel Pump

Biodiesel Blend Now Available for Marine Use

B5 to be Sold in 2006

In a special ceremony May 9, 2005, Governor Ruth Ann Minner announced the introduction of a soy biodiesel fuel blend at the Indian River Marina. Located at the Indian River Inlet on Route 1, north of Bethany Beach, the Indian River Marina will be the first marina in the Mid-Atlantic region to offer soy biodiesel fuel to government and commercial marine fleets, as well as private boat owners. The marina is part of Delaware Seashore State Park, managed by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

In her remarks, Governor Minner praised the continued efforts of Delaware soybean farmers to promote the fuel that’s produced from soybeans, Delaware’s #1 crop. “Soy biodiesel fuel has made significant contributions to improving Delaware’s air quality and supporting my Livable Delaware initiative,” said Governor Minner. “With a soy biodiesel fuel blend now available at the Indian River Marina, we are one step closer to improving our coastal water quality and preserving the scenic beauty of Delaware’s waterways,” she said.

“Soy biodiesel fuel is a wonderful addition to our Clean Marina initiative here at the Indian River Marina,” said DNREC Secretary John Hughes. “DNREC’s marina fleet currently uses soy biodiesel fuel, and we encourage the boating public to join our efforts to improve water quality, reduce pollution, and safeguard our environment,” he said.

Soy biodiesel fuel can provide significant environmental benefits to Delaware’s marine ecosystems. The fuel is non-toxic and biodegradable and can replace or blend with petroleum diesel with little or no engine modifications. Biodiesel is the only alternative fuel to have successfully completed the rigorous Health Effects Testing Requirements of the federal Clean Air Act Amendments.

Charles A. Salkin, director of the Delaware Division of Parks and Recreation, endorses the marina’s plan to offer a soy biodiesel blend to recreational and charter boats. “The Indian River Marina is pleased to offer the fuel to the boating public. We are fortunate to have funding and support from the Delaware Soybean Board to make this possible,” said Mr. Salkin.

In addition to promoting a cleaner boating experience, the new initiative at the marina complements soy biodiesel use elsewhere in Delaware State Parks. “We are using biodiesel for almost all of our maintenance fleet and will soon begin using it for heating public buildings and park residences,” Salkin said.

Biodiesel fuel represents the fastest growing renewable fuel in America. Over the past few years, U.S. soybean farmers have funded much of the development of the biodiesel industry, investing millions of dollars to bring biodiesel into commercial success. In January 2005 the Delaware Soybean Board was awarded $30,571 from the United Soybean Board to assist the state in the introduction of the fuel at the Indian River Marina.

Speaking on behalf of the 1100 soybean farmers in Delaware, Jeffrey Allen, President of the Delaware Soybean Board, thanked Governor Minner for her support of the state’s soybean industry. “Governor Minner’s leadership has made a tremendous difference in our programs,” said Mr. Allen. “Our state is on the forefront of soy biodiesel programs that will not only improve our air quality and marine ecosystem, but will decrease our country’s dependence on imported oil and support American farmers,” he said.

Mr. Allen, along with Directors of the Delaware Soybean Board, presented Governor Minner and other state dignitaries with baskets full of soy-based products, including engine oils, cleaners, degreasers, and detergents. The soy-based products are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe to use in all environments. In his remarks, Mr. Allen encouraged Delaware state agencies and the general public to use the environmentally-sound, soy-based products.

Over the past four years, Governor Minner and the Delaware Soybean Board have partnered on Delaware’s soy biodiesel initiative. In 2003 the Governor received the national “Trailblazer’s Award” from the National Biodiesel Board for her broad-reaching programs to increase the use and availability of the fuel in the state. Under the leadership of the Delaware Soybean Board’s President, Jeffrey Allen, the Board has funded research, education, and promotional programs to encourage public and private fleets, farmers, and the general public to use the fuel. Currently, State of Delaware and private fleets, including Delaware Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Delmarva Power, use biodiesel to fuel their diesel trucks and equipment. Biodiesel is now available commercially on-road at 4 public fueling stations in Delaware and from several fuel providers throughout the state. The fuel was evaluated in Delaware school buses and tested as a heating fuel replacement in a school in Middletown. In September 2004, Governor Minner announced plans for Mid-Atlantic Biodiesel, Inc. to build a biodiesel-manufacturing facility in Clayton. The facility, with a capacity to refine up to 5 million gallons of biodiesel per year, will be the first in the region to manufacture a renewable fuel, made from soybeans.

The Delaware Soybean Board is a nine-member organization of soybean producers representing all three counties in Delaware. The Board was organized in 1980 by a group of Delaware soybean growers, who wanted to promote a more profitable soybean industry. The Board administers Delaware’s USDA-legislated soybean checkoff program, which is funded by an assessment of 0.5% of the market value on the sale of soybeans grown in the state. The Delaware Soybean Board manages half of these funds, while the United Soybean Board, the national board, manages the rest. The Board develops statewide programs in soybean education, promotion, research, and producer communications. Delaware’s Board Directors are volunteer.

More than 20,000 gallons of B2 biodiesel blend were sold during the 2005 boating season at Indian River. During 2006, the marina will sell B5 -- a blend of five percent biodiesel with 95 percent petroleum diesel.

For more information on the Indian River Marina and the Clean Marina program, contact Gary King, Park Superintendent, Indian River Marina at 302-227-3071 or gary.king@state.de.us

Jeffrey Allen, Delaware Soybean Board president, celebrated the opening of the Indian River Marina B2 pump with Del. Gov. Ruth Ann Minner, Ag Secretary Michael Scuse, and other dignitaries.

Eric Niemann, a soybean farmer and member of the United Soybean Board, congratulated the Delaware Soybean Board and the State of Delaware on the opening of the pump.