The use of bio-based diesel in the commercial truck industry is growing after the Environmental Protection Agency has imposed new requirements on the industry. The use of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel and natural gas, is also on the rise as the price of traditional diesel fuel is still rather high and truck carriers are needing to put more trucks on the road.
The EPA recently announced that it will require 1.28 billion gallons of bio-based diesel production in 2013, an increase over the 1 billion gallons required in 2012.
Biodiesel is an alternative fuel made largely from soybean oil, used cooking oil, and animal fats. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 from Congress established biomass-based biodiesel production mandates for the country, which required biodiesel to be included in U.S. diesel fuel markets beginning in 2010. The level was set at 800 million gallons in 2011, the first full year compliance was required, before it was increased to 1 billion gallons in 2012, according to Truckinginfo.com. After that, the EPA is required to determine how much biodiesel must be blended annually.
“It will allow biodiesel plants across the country to invest and expand, creating thousands of jobs,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, the industry trade association. “At the same time, it sends a strong signal that the U.S. is standing firm behind its commitment to producing clean, American-made energy to strengthen our energy security and break our dependence on petroleum.”
The increase in biodiesel use comes at a time with the commercial truck industry is experiencing rapid growth and higher demand. Carriers across the nation need to add thousands of new truck and professionally trained truck drivers to the road every month and the use of alternative fuels is designed to help offset the costs associated with keeping up for rapid growth.
Diesel prices are higher than they were just a few years ago, but recently the price began to decrease, offering some relief to the growing commercial truck industry, even if it is only temporary.
Commercial truck carriers received some good news last week after it was announced that the average price of diesel had fallen for the first time in 12 weeks. The nation-wide average for diesel last week was $4.086 per gallon, according to the Energy Information Administration of the Department of Energy. The 4.9 cents decrease was good news, but the average price still stands at 43 cents higher than the average in early July and 30 cents higher than it was a year ago, according to the Department of Energy.
The price in diesel fuel is welcome news for commercial truck carriers that have to put thousands of new drivers on the road each month in order to keep up with rising demands. The commercial truck industry is experiencing substantial growth and more professional truck drivers are needed.
Carriers are especially interested in truck drivers with professional training, such as students of Diesel Driving Academy who are often times completing the CDL training program with multiple job offers from some of the nation’s top trucking companies. If you are looking for a new career and want to enter an industry that is growing, then becoming a commercial truck driver may be your best option, and completing the CDL training program at DDA is the best place to start.
