As a result, the state's Department of Commerce said that the requirement that No. 1 diesel fuel be blended with 5 percent biodiesel has been suspended until March 21. The measure comes after both the Minnesota Biodiesel Council and the Minnesota Petroleum Marketers Association expressed concerns regarding filters getting gummed up in the colder temperatures.
"The waiver will relieve some of the pressure felt by suppliers and consumers while we get to the bottom of any issues," said James Pearson, a deputy commissioner for the department.
Though the requirement for No. 1 diesel has been suspended, No. 2 diesel fuel will still have to be blended with 5 percent biodiesel.
Along with clogging filters, cold weather can make it difficult to start diesel engines. There are, however, things people can do in order to get their machines going. The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service recommends that equipment owners use either glow plugs or block heaters in order to keep diesel engines warm, which will help when trying to start them.
