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Portland Renewable Fuel Standard Explained 1024 683 Star Oilco

Portland Renewable Fuel Standard Explained

Did you hear about the time Portland banned fossil fuel diesel?

Portland is making a big move to provide cleaner air and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Portland has implemented what’s called the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) beginning  its first phase on May 15th, 2024. The RFS policy in Portland mandates that there has to be an increase of use of low-carbon biofuels in diesel within city limits of Portland. This is part of the ultimate Climate Emergency plan. This RFS mandate was first implemented in 2006 as a B5 (5%) Biodiesel blend mandate with the goal of mandating a 20% blend. The RFS is the first of its kind not only in Oregon but in the entire United States. Portland’s reputation as a leader in environmental sustainability efforts continues. 

Portland’s Phases To Implement Almost 100% Renewable Diesel

What makes Portland’s mandate unique is the requirement that the biofuels have a CO2 value so low it bars most American made biodiesels. The blending requirement starts at 15% in 2024, and then it will steadily increase to 50% by 2026 and will reach 99% by 2030. This schedule demonstrates how Portland’s low-carbon ambition is present to transition away from fossil fuels and promote alternative energy sources.

This policy is expected to reduce air pollution and carbon emissions. It will also create new markets for biofuels, which will lead to increased economic opportunities. This will ultimately help the city become a more sustainable and environmentally friendly place to live as Portland has taken the lead in striving for sustainability over the years.

The policy will also help create jobs in the biofuel industry and provide opportunities for businesses to switch to renewable energy sources. It will also help reduce the city’s dependence on fossil fuels and protect the environment for future generations.

Want to learn more about meeting Portland’s requirements for the Renewable Fuel Standard mandate?

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Focus on Lower-Emission Biofuels

Uniquely, Portland’s RFS goes beyond just the biofuel blend. It also sets a strict carbon intensity (CI) standard for the biofuels themselves. This ensures the biodiesels used have a significantly lower carbon footprint compared to traditional options. Biodiesels produced domestically often fall short of this CI requirement, prompting many suppliers to look to renewable diesel sources. This focus on biofuels with a lower lifecycle carbon footprint makes Portland’s RFS even more impactful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Iconic Portland sign on Broadway at dusk with city buildings in the background

Exemptions and Implementation Details

The initial phase of the RFS targets on-road diesel sales. This applies to diesel purchased at gas stations, by mobile fueling companies, and for use in large stationary tanks. However, the long-term goal includes all diesel use within the city. Some temporary exemptions apply to off-road diesel uses such as heating oil, generator fuel, aircraft fuels, watercraft fuels, and other dyed fuel users. One local truck stop, Jubitz Truckstop, was granted a temporary exemption. This is likely due to concerns about disrupting critical transportation operations. Daimler (the manufacturer of Freightliner and Western Star trucks) has a research facility in Portland. Daimler was also granted an exemption to meet their specific fuel needs for testing purposes. 

The RFS enforces compliance through fuel sampling and requires documentation proving the fuel meets the minimum biofuel content and CI standards. Businesses that purchase diesel need to be able to show their compliance through bills of lading (BOLs) or similar records from their fuel provider, like Star Oilco. If a business does not comply and provide this documentation, it can result in pretty hefty fines. First offenses can be a fine of $10,000 per day. Repeat offenders will end up facing even bigger penalties of up to $15,000 per day. These fines can really show the impact of how serious Portland is taking this initiative. 

Impact on Businesses and Consumers

While residential consumers who don’t purchase diesel directly are not directly impacted, businesses purchasing diesel, especially in bulk, will need to adapt to the new regulations. This may involve acquiring documentation from fuel suppliers or entering into contracts guaranteeing compliant fuel blends. Wholesale fuel distributors, who sometimes purchase from multiple vendors and blend fuel mid-route, may face additional challenges in tracking the biofuel content and CI of their product. However, as the program matures, the industry is expected to adapt and streamline these compliance procedures.

Contact Us Today To Discuss What This Means For Your Business

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A Step Forward for Cleaner Transportation

Portland’s ambitious RFS sets a new expectation for sustainable transportation. Promoting low-carbon biofuels allows Portland to aim to significantly reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and be able to contribute to cleaner air for its residents. The RFS program will be able to serve as a model for other cities that are looking at implementing similar initiatives. Great job Portland for paving the way to a sustainable future for other cities! Although challenges will remain, as businesses adapt to this new norm, Portland’s RFS represents a significant step forward in creating a more sustainable transportation sector.

The RFS program is an important step in the fight towards sustainability and lower carbon fuels. It sends a clear message that cities are willing to take action to reduce emissions and protect the environment. We anticipate that other cities will follow Portland’s lead and create similar initiatives. This will have a significant impact in reducing emissions and helping to protect the environment.

It is a positive step towards a more sustainable future. Alternative fuels have become more and more readily available. Investing in alternative fuels and reducing carbon emissions is essential for protecting the planet for future generations. Governments should prioritize investing in renewable energy sources and incentivize communities to switch to alternative fuel solutions.

Thank you for choosing Star Oilco as your preferred fuel provider in Portland and Vancouver, Washington. Give us a call to discuss how the RFS mandate can affect your business and one of our team members would be happy to discuss this with you.

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Star Oilco Diesel Fuel Quality Assurance 1024 574 Star Oilco

Star Oilco Diesel Fuel Quality Assurance

                                 Star Oilco Diesel Fuel Quality Assurance

 

Diesel Fuel Tank Cleaner

 

  • Diesel Fuel Is Often A Company’s Largest Expense. Unfortunately, there is very little control over its quality.
  • Fuel Quality Has Declined over the last 25 years…
  • Engine manufacturers have tightened the tolerances for fuel
  • Newer tier 4 engines starting from 2008 need cleaner fuel

 

“Over the last two decades, the cetane number and the API gravity, the basic measures of crude oil quality have declined.”

 

—Society of Automotive Engineers, (SAE) Bulletin 872243

 

Cetane number is actually a measure of a fuel’s ignition delay. This is the time period between the start of injection and start of combustion (ignition) of the fuel. In a particular diesel engine, higher cetane fuels will have shorter ignition delay periods than lower cetane fuels.

What is a typical API gravity for diesel fuel? The classic book “Petroleum Refinery Engineering” by W.L. Nelson (4th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1958) gives numbers ranging from about 25 to 40 (with “Grade 1-D” around 40 and “Grade 2-D” around 35). In a Web search using the keywords “diesel” and “API gravity” I found a couple of sites with specs for #2 diesel fuel; these had minimum values of 26 and 30 API gravity. So a reasonable guess would be that typical #2 diesel fuel would have an API gravity of about 35; I’ll let you plug that into the above formula to get the specific gravity.

The densities of petroleum products are traditionally (especially in the U.S.) expressed as “API Gravity” The API Gravity is related to the specific gravity by the equation: API = (141.5/SPGR) – 131.5, where the specific gravity is the density relative to that of water and everything is measured at a temperature of 60 degrees F.

MadSci Network © 1997, Washington University Medical School

“Diesel fuel quality has deteriorated for the past 20 years and is expected to continue this trend for the foreseeable future.”

American Society for Testing and Materials, (ASTM) Pub. # 10056

 

COMMON PROBLEMS WITH 21st CENTURY DIESEL FUEL IN THE PACIFIC NW

Fuel Quality Deterioration

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Problem 4a

 

 

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Problem 6

The odds are stacked against the fleet owners

what can be done to help alleviate or control the problems?

you have questions, we have the solutions, call us to find out.

 CAll Today

If you have bulk fuel storage, the first step is testing your tank bottom and what is coming out of the nozzle.  Star Oilco can do a complementary ASTM and ISO specification analysis of your diesel fuel.  If you are seeing recurring fuel system issue, the first step is to make sure your bulk storage isn’t the problem. We can help.

Tank Testing Form

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Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Quality, Storage, and Future Considerations 1024 1024 Star Oilco

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Quality, Storage, and Future Considerations

Have you ever noticed that Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) often lives in the background until suddenly it’s the reason your fleet can’t meet emissions standards or a system clogs up? DEF quality and storage isn’t just technical noise, it’s vital for keeping your SCR system happy and your operations rolling smoothly. We want to share with you what makes DEF high quality, the best ways to store it, and what trends are shaping its role in diesel emissions systems moving forward.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) is a crucial component in modern diesel engines equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. While many fleet operators are familiar with its basic function of reducing nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions, understanding the intricacies of DEF quality, storage, supply chain considerations, and system maintenance can help businesses optimize efficiency and avoid costly repairs. At Star Oilco, we provide fleets with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate these complexities. This guide will explore the advanced aspects of DEF, from maintaining quality and ensuring proper storage to understanding emerging trends in emissions technology. 

Understanding DEF Quality and Purity 

 The quality of DEF plays a significant role in the performance and longevity of an SCR system. DEF must adhere to ISO 22241 standards, which regulate its composition, concentration, and purity. Using non-compliant DEF can lead to injector clogging, crystallization, and system failures. Even small amounts of contaminants such as dirt, fuel, or water can negatively impact DEF performance and damage expensive SCR components. 

To ensure DEF meets the necessary standards, regular testing should be performed. Refractometers can measure the urea concentration to verify the correct 32.5 percent solution. DEF testing strips can detect impurities, while more advanced lab analysis can help diagnose performance issues related to fluid quality. Purchasing DEF from a reliable, ISO-certified supplier is the best way to avoid contamination and maintain compliance. 

DEF Storage Best Practices to Prevent Contamination 

Proper storage is essential for maintaining DEF integrity. Temperature control is a key factor, as DEF should be stored between 12 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent degradation. Freezing does not damage DEF, but extreme heat can cause evaporation and reduce its effectiveness. To minimize exposure to environmental factors, DEF should be stored in opaque, UV-resistant containers to prevent sunlight from breaking down its chemical properties. 

Choosing the right storage material is also critical. DEF should be kept in plastic or stainless steel containers, as certain metals such as aluminum, copper, and zinc react with DEF, leading to contamination. Additionally, keeping storage containers sealed will prevent air exposure, which can introduce dust or debris. Managing inventory efficiently is another important aspect of storage. DEF typically has a shelf life of 12 months, but in warmer climates, its lifespan may be reduced to six months. Using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory approach ensures that older stock is used before it degrades. 

Regular inspections and cleaning of storage equipment are also recommended to maintain DEF purity. Be sure to check for residue buildup, leaks, or any signs of contamination in tanks, nozzles, and dispensing systems. Training staff on proper handling procedures can further reduce the risk of accidental contamination. By taking these proactive steps, you can ensure your DEF stays clean, effective, and ready to support emissions compliance.

DEF dispensing station pump showing control panel, hose, and DEF push button

How Temperature Affects DEF Performance 

Temperature fluctuations can significantly impact DEF performance. In cold climates, DEF freezes at 12 degrees Fahrenheit, causing operational challenges for fleets. While frozen DEF does not degrade, it must be properly thawed before use. Heated DEF dispensers and insulated storage solutions can help prevent freezing issues in extreme weather conditions. It is important to avoid adding water to thaw frozen DEF, as this disrupts the precise urea concentration and compromises its effectiveness. 

On the other end of the spectrum, high temperatures can cause DEF to degrade. Exposure to prolonged heat above 86 degrees Fahrenheit can lead to evaporation and an increase in urea concentration, which may result in improper dosing and SCR malfunctions. Storing DEF in shaded or climate-controlled areas can help mitigate heat-related degradation. Seasonal changes also impact DEF consumption rates, with colder temperatures often leading to increased DEF usage as SCR systems adjust to lower combustion efficiencies. 

DEF Supply Chain Considerations 

DEF relies on a stable global urea supply, making it susceptible to market fluctuations. Since urea is also used in fertilizer production, shifts in agricultural demand, export restrictions, and production slowdowns can lead to price increases and supply shortages. In times of high demand, fleets may struggle to secure sufficient DEF, leading to increased costs and operational challenges. 

To avoid supply disruptions, fleet operators should consider strategic sourcing options. Establishing relationships with reliable DEF suppliers and securing bulk deliveries can help mitigate the risk of shortages. On-site DEF storage solutions can also provide a buffer against market volatility, allowing businesses to maintain an adequate supply without relying on just-in-time purchasing. Planning ahead for seasonal or industry-wide fluctuations in DEF availability can help fleets remain operational without unexpected expenses. 

The Economics of DEF for Fleet Operations 

DEF consumption is directly tied to diesel fuel usage, with most fleets using approximately two to three percent DEF per gallon of diesel burned. Understanding this ratio allows businesses to budget accordingly and monitor costs. Optimizing fuel efficiency can also lead to lower DEF usage, as well-maintained engines operate more efficiently and require less NOx reduction. 

Using high-quality DEF prevents costly maintenance issues. Non-compliant or contaminated DEF can cause injector clogging, pump failures, and SCR system malfunctions, resulting in expensive repairs and downtime. Some manufacturers void engine warranties if improper DEF is used, making it even more important to source DEF from a certified provider. Preventative maintenance and regular DEF quality testing can help fleets avoid hidden costs associated with poor-quality fluid. 

DEF System Failures: Causes and Prevention 

Common DEF system failures can be traced back to improper handling, storage, and contamination. Crystallization, for example, occurs when DEF is exposed to air and loses moisture, leaving behind solid urea deposits that can clog injectors and sensors. Contaminated DEF can lead to buildup in the SCR system, affecting performance and triggering warning lights that may lead to vehicle derating or shutdown. 

Preventing DEF system failures requires proactive maintenance. Regularly flushing DEF tanks, inspecting nozzles for blockages, and ensuring proper storage conditions can help prevent these issues. Using ISO-certified DEF from a trusted supplier also reduces the risk of contamination. Scheduled maintenance checks and SCR system inspections allow fleet operators to address minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs. 

The Future of DEF and Emissions Technology 

As emissions regulations continue to evolve, the role of DEF in diesel technology is likely to expand. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to push for stricter NOx reduction targets, which may lead to advancements in SCR systems and increased DEF usage. Some manufacturers are exploring alternative NOx-reduction methods, such as ammonia-based catalysts or hydrogen fuel cell technology, but DEF remains the most effective solution for modern diesel engines. 

While DEF will remain a key component of emissions compliance for the foreseeable future, fleet operators should stay informed about regulatory changes and advancements in emissions technology. Investing in high-quality DEF and optimizing storage and usage practices will help businesses stay ahead of evolving environmental standards. 

DEF Myths and Misconceptions 

Several misconceptions about DEF persist, leading to improper use and maintenance practices. One common myth is that water can be added to DEF in emergencies. This is incorrect, as dilution disrupts the precise 32.5 percent urea concentration, rendering it ineffective and potentially damaging the SCR system. 

Another common belief is that DEF improves fuel efficiency. While DEF itself does not enhance fuel economy, it allows for optimized engine performance by reducing backpressure in the exhaust system. This results in better combustion efficiency, which can lead to slight improvements in fuel usage. 

A final misconception is that DEF does not expire. In reality, DEF has a shelf life and degrades over time, especially when exposed to heat or contaminants. Proper storage and inventory management are essential to maintaining DEF quality. 

How Star Oilco Ensures High-Quality DEF for Customers 

Star Oilco provides high-quality, ISO 22241-certified DEF to ensure fleets remain compliant and operational. Our bulk DEF delivery services allow businesses to secure a reliable supply, reducing the risk of shortages and minimizing costs. We also offer on-site DEF storage solutions to help fleets manage their inventory efficiently. 

In addition to supplying high-quality DEF, we assist customers with DEF system maintenance, testing, and best practices to ensure long-term reliability. With our commitment to quality and service, Star Oilco is the trusted partner for businesses looking to optimize their DEF usage and reduce the risk of SCR system failures. 

We also help customers stay up to date on regulatory changes and evolving DEF standards to ensure full compliance. Whether you’re a small fleet or a large operation, our team is ready to tailor a DEF solution that meets your specific needs.

For more information on our DEF solutions, contact Star Oilco today to learn how we can help keep your fleet running efficiently while meeting emissions compliance standards. 

Contact Us Today

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly does DEF do in my diesel engine?

DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid) is injected into the exhaust stream of modern diesel engines equipped with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems. It reacts with exhaust gases to convert harmful nitrogen oxides (NOx) into harmless nitrogen and water vapor. This process dramatically cuts emissions, keeping your fleet compliant with strict EPA standards.

How long does DEF last in storage?

Stored properly, DEF generally has a shelf life of up to 12 months. However, exposure to heat can shorten this to 6 months or less, especially in warmer climates. That’s why using a first-in, first-out (FIFO) system is crucial. It ensures older DEF is used before it degrades, protecting your SCR systems from concentration issues that could cause costly repairs. 

How much DEF does my fleet actually use?

Most fleets use about 2-3% DEF relative to diesel fuel burned. That means for every 100 gallons of diesel, you’ll consume roughly 2 to 3 gallons of DEF. Knowing this ratio helps you forecast DEF needs alongside your fuel budgets.

Does DEF improve my fuel economy?

Not directly. DEF doesn’t boost fuel economy on its own. However, by reducing exhaust backpressure through the SCR process, your engine can operate more efficiently, which may lead to slightly better combustion and fuel performance over time. 

Can DEF expire even if it’s stored properly?

Yes. DEF naturally degrades over time, even under ideal conditions. Keeping it cool, sealed, and protected from UV rays slows this process, but eventually it ages out. That’s why FIFO inventory management and routine checks of DEF age are important to avoid using degraded product.

Why does DEF usage increase in colder weather?

Colder temperatures can make diesel engines burn less efficiently, leading the SCR system to dose more DEF to keep NOx emissions in check. This seasonal variance is normal, but it means winter months may see DEF usage spike slightly higher than your average.

How might future EPA emissions standards impact my DEF usage?

Regulations on NOx emissions are only getting tighter. This means future SCR systems could demand even more precise DEF dosing, or fleets might see an overall increase in DEF consumption. Staying committed to quality DEF, proper storage, and system maintenance now will help keep you ahead of regulatory curves and avoid penalties later.

How does Star Oilco help prevent costly DEF-related issues?

We supply only ISO-certified DEF, deliver it in bulk or packaged form, and provide on-site storage solutions to keep your operations protected. Our team also supports customers with DEF quality testing, maintenance guidance, and proactive system checks to help you avoid breakdowns, warranty headaches, and surprise costs.

Portland-Oregon-Pacific-Pride-Location-Map
Mobile Cardless Pay with Pacific Pride & CFN 349 335 Star Oilco

Mobile Cardless Pay with Pacific Pride & CFN

Pacific Pride offers a mobile cardless pay option through their app, PRIDE PAY.

With PRIDE PAY, drivers can initiate fueling directly from the app at participating Pacific Pride locations without a physical card.

Here’s how it works: 

Download and install the PRIDE PAY app on your mobile device.

Pride Pay App Icon
Pacific-Pride-Login-credentials

Sign in using your Pacific Pride account credentials.

Locate a participating Pacific Pride station within the app.

Portland-Oregon-Pacific-Pride-Location-Map
Driver using Pacific Pride app on smartphone to activate fuel pump from inside vehicle

Once at the station, initiate fueling through the app, responding to any prompts for authorization.

Fuel your vehicle and complete the transaction directly through the app.

Mobile phone screen showing fuel card transaction history with Pacific Pride

There are many Pacific Pride fueling locations throughout the United States and Canada. There are over 1,400 locations in total, and that number is still growing. You can find Pacific Pride stations in a variety of places, including truck stops, convenience stores, and travel plazas. Since Pacific Pride locations are independently owned and operated, not all services are available at all locations. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm amenities offered at a station.   

PRIDE PAY offers many benefits like convenience, security, and potential fuel discounts. Remember to check with your Pacific Pride account manager for details and ensure your company account is enrolled in the program. 

An additional bonus is the ability to track multiple drivers, companies can gain insights into their routes, driving behavior, and travel times. This allows for better coordination, improved time management, and reduced fuel consumption. Additionally, tracking helps to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement in the overall transportation process, leading to cost savings and reduced paperwork through automated reporting. 

In the end, this advanced tracking system goes beyond simple location monitoring, transforming fleet management into a data-driven operation that optimizes efficiency, cuts costs, and streamlines the entire transportation process. 

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Weekly Fuel Market Report – June 7th – June 13th, 2026 1024 683 Star Oilco

Weekly Fuel Market Report – June 7th – June 13th, 2026
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Did You Know That R99 Is The Same Cost As Diesel Currently?

Call to set up R99 Mobile Fueling Onsite Service in Portland at the same cost of retail diesel. Dyed untaxed R99 is also available. Give us a call today to schedule your delivery.

Wholesale Price Average 6/13/26

Wholesale LowWholesale Avg
E10$3.45$3.56
B5$3.99$4.09
B20$43.88$4.01
R99$3.34$3.49

Average Retail Prices 6/13/26

NationalOregonWashington
E10$4.07$5.00$5.50
B5$5.19$5.84$6.42

Taxes

FederalState: ORLocalState: WA
Gas$0.184$0.40$0-.13$0.494
Diesel$0.244$0.40$0-.13$0.494

Portland Retail Fuel Price Variance

Fuel Market News

Upon the news of a potential peace agreement between the US & Iran, crude oil prices took a steep dip, causing fuel prices to follow. It will take a week or more of continued stability and peace between the regions for drivers to see the real price difference as prices continue to fall. The question is how real this peace agreement is and how long it will last. Global markets have responded very positively, with stock markets going up and crude oil prices dropping. President Trump announced that the Strait of Hormuz has reopened entirely, ending the naval blockage and bottleneck of the entire region.

Retail gas prices in Portland are still over $5/gal at a current average of around $5.12/gal, while the Seattle area is over $5.76/gal.  Retail diesel prices in Portland are still over $6/gal at a current average of $6.01, while the Seattle area is over $6.75/gal. As of June 8th, the main pipeline in Washington state is down for maintenance. The Olympic pipeline has been fixed and is back to full operational status. This, with the combination of a hopeful end of the conflict in the Middle East should continue to push fuel prices lower into this week and next.

fuel-market-report-star-oilco-5-18-24

Important Note: Per the City Of Portland, “Distributors in the City of Portland are required to meet the minimum biofuel content requirements for all fuel they distribute beginning on May 15, 2024. All diesel fuel distributed to retail stations, non-retail dealers, or wholesale purchaser-consumers must include a minimum of 15% biofuel content, from either renewable diesel or biodiesel. This requirement increases to 50% on May 15, 2026, and 99% on May 15, 2030”.

Reasons For Price Variance

Oil Prices Hovering Around $77

Higher Oil Prices Cost US Consumers $45 Billion

US Peace Deal With Iran

Crude oil is hovering just above $77/barrel, at a current price of $77.05/barrel.

Crude oil is the main ingredient for gasoline and diesel. Per AAA, on average about 50% of what you pay at the pump is the price of crude oil, breaking down as 25% refining, 11% distribution & marketing, and 14% taxes – a helpful breakdown for consumers wondering why they are paying the prices that they pay. Crude Oil is currently trading at $77.05/barrel compared to $94.35/barrel last week and $72 a year ago.

It’s essential to recognize that fuel prices result from a complex interplay of the factors mentioned above and other regional factors. Additionally, prices may vary by specific regions within Oregon and Washington. For the most precise and up-to-date information on fuel prices and the causes for these price changes within your area, use the links below for AAA & GasBuddy.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Star Oilco and speak to one of our fuel market advisors to discuss how the market can impact your business.

Set up your R99 Mobile Fueling Onsite Service in Portland Today Including Dyed Untaxed R99.

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For other news in the fuel market:

● https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=OR

● https://www.gasbuddy.com/charts

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comparison chart showing difference between off-road diesel and on-road diesel fuel in Portland OR
The Future of Diesel Fuel 940 788 Star Oilco

The Future of Diesel Fuel
Retail Diesel Dispenser Example
Retail Diesel Pumps with a variety of blends of diesel. Biodiesel, Renewable Diesel, and Fossil Diesel blends shown in Portland, Oregon.

The Future of Diesel is Low CO2 Synthetic Fuels

The stew of molecules your diesel is made of has been changing. A next level technology in chemistry is enabling garbage to be transformed into hydrocarbon fuels like diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, and propane as well as other high value chemicals. These technologies enable petroleum refineries in the United States to retool themselves and move into making biofuels with the very technology used to refine modern gasoline and diesel fuels from crude oil.  Currently oil refineries take crude petroleum and crack the molecules and reform them with a hydrotreater.  This hydrogenation is what makes renewable diesel from fats, oils and greases.

If you have ever worked under your sink at home. Remember the greasy mess inside the pipes below your kitchen sink.  These renewable hydrogenation technologies can turn that trash into a super clean high performance synthetic diesel fuel.  That waste stream along with used deep fryer oil, the animal fats from rendering and other sources is the feedstock for renewable diesel.  It is exciting and this will be the future of our diesel and jet fuels.  These fuels also have a fraction of the CO2 footprint of a fossil fuel equivalent as measured by Oregon, Washington or California’s rules to measure the carbon intensity of fuels.

Diesel Fuel in Oregon and Washington

Star Oilco has been getting questions on the changes of diesel in Portland, Oregon.  If you have not noticed, many diesel pumps at retail gas stations and cardlock have seen changing stickers on the face of the fuel pumps.  As of July 1st, 2024 the City of Portland requires a minimum 15% biofuel content of all diesel sold.  This policy is called the Portland Renewable Fuel Standard.  Portland currently plans to ramp up this requirement to a 50% biofuel blend in May of 2026.  So that every gallon of diesel sold inside the City of Portland must be half biomass based diesel products blended with fossil diesel.

This has caused quite a few changes in what fuel pumps have as their fuel for sale.  Usually people notice this change with teh color of the diesel coming out of the retail nozzle.  Diesel fuel buyers are noticing the bright yellow color of B20 biodiesel, the fully clear color of Renewable Diesel or a mix of several fuels tinting the color of their diesel.  This trend is bigger than just Portland.

Today on the west coast there are a variety of product label stickers you will see on diesel pumps.  These show the variety of diesel fuel specifications that are being sold to diesel vehicles today. Blends of petroleum ultra low sulfur diesel, R99 (99%) renewable diesel, and B99 (99%) Biodiesel are combined to meet the market needs of the diesel we all buy.

This change is because of a combination of pure market forces, government rules and local decisions by fuel haulers.  Today’s diesel not only has a commodity market for the fuel it also has a market for CO2 credit value and a cap of total petroleum diesel fuel that can be sold into a west coast state with a “Cap and Invest” program requiring blends of low CO2 biofuels, the liquid fuels sold for vehicles.

Add on top of these market forces, advances in technology used to make the liquid diesel fuel.  The diesel arriving at truck stops, gas stations, cardlock or out of a hose from a bulk truck has been changing and it’s often in good ways.  Knowing how can be helpful in navigating why diesel may cost one price or another and may have a need or maintenance that another fuel does not.

THE RISE OF RENEWABLE DIESEL

Renewable diesel, also called R99 as in 99% renewable diesel, is a synthetic diesel fuel made from the same feedstock as biodiesel. The big difference though is that renewable diesel’s finished product is hydrocarbon diesel.  Biodiesel chemically is not a hydrocarbon or made up of diesel molecules.  Renewable diesel is a biofuel, but it is also chemically diesel on a molecular level. For fuel regulation they refer to it (as well as biodiesel) as “Biomass Based Diesel” for labeling at the fuel pump.

There have been billions of plant capacity brought online in the United States for renewable diesel.  During the COVID market drop in fuel prices a number of petroleum refineries shut down, then upgraded their technology to make hydrocarbon diesel fuels out of the very biobased fats, oils, and greases biodiesel is made from.  These refineries use hydrotreating technology just like they do with a crude petroleum to make an actual hydrocarbon diesel molecule.   With this technology adoption to make diesel and jet fuels from vegetable oils and animal fats billions of gallons of low CO2 diesel fuels are coming on the market and governments are requiring it’s use, such as Portland’s Renewable Fuel Standard.

Renewable Diesel Consumption it the US Source: Alternative Fuels Data Center

THE AVAILABILITY OF BIODIESEL

The US makes billions of gallons of biodiesel.  A fuel that’s quality and performance continues to improve.  If you are not a fan of biodiesel in your fuel thinking strategically about the fuel will likely benefit your fleet operation.  The big concern with diesel fuel in a ultra low sulfur world is water and dirt suspended in the fuel affecting the performance of diesel emission systems.  With clean and drier quality specifications of B99 blend stocks today versus a decade ago the use of this fuel has grown substantially especially in the truck stop market.

When crude petroleum prices are high and therefore refined diesel prices are equally as high biodiesel is often an extremely competitive fuel.  Recently changes in Federal subsidies on biodiesel have changed this market dynamic a bit but you can presume that biodiesel will often be sold at a discount against fossil fuel diesel.  If a large seller of diesel (including petroleum refiners) can pick up pennies per gallons on millions of gallons sold they will do so.  Therefore Biodiesel is often seen in diesel in small blends even if you do not see a label on retail pump.  For blends above 5% a label is required for retail fuel sales.

R99 Renewable Diesel label indicating 99% biomass-based diesel content
Ultra Low Sulfur Retail Diesel Label
Biodiesel Blend Percentage label for retail diesel dispenser

Above are a variety of labels used to denote what fuel blend is coming out of a retail diesel dispenser. Feel free to call Star Oilco at 503-283-1256 if this confuses you and you want it explained.  We would be glad to do so.

These labels can be found together often at one pump.  All state and Federal standards require ultra low sulfur diesel for any on-road diesel sale.  The Federal standards also adopted by the states require a disclosure at the fuel pump if a blend is above 5% biodiesel.  The max allowable blend of biodiesel for diesel truck manufactures is a 20% blend.  If a truck dealership says that you cannot blend biodiesel up to 20% they need to take that up with the Federal Government because they need to support it.  This is why the label shows a blend may contain between 5% and 20% biodiesel content.

Renewable diesel is a hydrocarbon diesel. 

 

It is diesel meeting the ASTM D975 specification for diesel. 

Retailers selling blends of R99 in their fuel do not need to label it given this.  They still do label it given the benefits of the fuel’s performance and that customers are seeking that fuel.

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Many retail places will have stacked labels showing they may be blending 5% to 20% biodiesel as well as may be adding R99 Renewable Diesel to the fuel as market conditions dictate it is the more cost competitive fuel.  When seeing a label like this it can usually be assumed they are blending a R80 (80% Renewable Diesel) and a B20 (20% Biodiesel) blend of fuel.  This blend is actually believed by some to be a higher performing fuel seeing better performance that a R99 or B20 fossil fuel blend.

Fossil fuel diesels are being replaced or blended with biomass based diesels.  Be it Renewable Diesel or Biodiesel.  These blends are driven by more than one industry requirements, government rules, or other market forces. One of these being Portland’s banned on petroleum diesel through the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). This is resulting in an increase of low-carbon biofuel blends that will ultimately move to a mix of 99% renewable fuel requirement by 2030.

Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel Blend fuel dispenser label.

The big drivers are industry specification for fuels (both labeling as well as chemical characteristics), state rules on selling these fuels, their quality assurance as well as CO2 content, and of course the market forces.  Market forces being the supply and demand availability of fuel needed to meet customers.  Less fuel available to sell means higher prices for customers.

A decade ago the market for diesel was far simpler. Though you had biofuels and some blend mandates basically you had a diesel specification accepted and the daily price as tracked by a lighted retailers sign, a wholesale market average or spot buying by some customers.   Today this market is far more complicated by government regulation on the west coast.  There are three big programs at state levels impacting this.

State Fuel Rules cause a unique need for one state or another. Whereas twenty years ago if Oregon or Washington fuel was selling for more than the Gulf Coast you might see brokers bring fuel into the region then driving down high prices.  With the creation of various complex and unique rules on diesel, imports of fuel to these low CO2 fuel states has dropped.  The amount of people moving product into west coast states has dropped.  The big rules causing this are the Cap and Invest programs of the West Coast states, the Low CO2 Fuel Standards of the states, and the fuel blend mandates of various jurisdictions of these states. For instance California now requires all off-road diesels but 99% renewable diesel.  Portland, Oregon also has a CO2 requirement and minimum 15% blend of biomass based diesel on all fuel sold in the state.

WHAT ARE THE DIESEL FUELS AND THEIR SPECIFICATIONS

Petroleum Diesel:
ASTM D975 Specification.

The ASTM D975 is a series of tests used to maintain consistent industry standard product performance for diesel fuel.  It includes among several tests cloud point, cold filter plug point (CFPP), several masurements of diesel fuel operability performance, intrained water content, sediment, carbon residue, ash, distillation, viscosity, sulfur, copper corrosion, cetane number, cetane index, aromaticity, and conductivity.

Renewable Diesel:
ASTM D975 Specification.

Renewable Diesel is following the same series of tests as petroleum refined diesel fuels.  It is the same ASTM D975 specification. Though Renewable Diesel has some different properties that exceed the ASTM specification of diesel.  Renewable Diesel is highly prized as a fuel because it typically is a cleaner and drier diesel fuel than petroleum diesel. This being seen by the tests on sediment and water content in a parts per million level.  Renewable Diesel content in diesel fuel can also be tested for looking for a C14 molecule (the chain typically created in a Hydrotreated Diesel process from fats, oils and greases.

Biodiesel (Methyl Esther):
ASTM D6751 Specification.

The ASTM for Biodiesel tests a mono-alkyl esters of long chain fatty acids derived from vegetable oils and animal fats. The testing for quality assurance covers an analysis for flash point, methanol, water and sediment, kinematic viscosity, sulfated ash, oxidation stability, sulfur, copper strip corrosion, cetane number, cloud point, acid number, carbon residue, total and free glycerin, phosphorus, reduce pressure distillation temperature, atmospheric equivalent temperature, combined calcium and magnesium, and combined sodium and magnesium.

For more on Biodiesel Use and Handling the National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a great book on the subject.

THE HISTORY OF DIESEL FUEL SPECIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

In the 1990’s the US EPA passed rules that demanded a phase out of sulfur in diesel fuel.  The presence of sulfur was very good for the fuel’s storage stability as well as fuel lubricity, but was horrible for air quality.   Additionally the big smog contributor was NOx (nitrous oxide) which was one of the EPA’s reason’s for pulling sulfur out of diesel.  For the EPA to get engine manufacturers to treat the NOx emissions at the tailpipe they needed all the sulfur gone (ultra low sulfur diesel) for modern diesel emission systems to be able to eliminate NOx as well as a host of other pollutants including particulates.

The story of changing diesel fuel standards in the US under the EPA is one of removing sulfur from our diesel fuel.  In 1996 the fuel refiners and sellers of diesel had to move the sulfur content of the fuel sold for on-road purposes to below a 500 parts per million standard. Commonly referred to as Low Sulfur Diesel fuel.   In 2006 the standard moved to a maximum of 15 parts per million of sulfur for all on road fuels.

In 2006 while the sulfur content of fuel was dropping the City of Portland released the first mandated blend of biodiesel content.  This being a 5% biodiesel blend.  The next year, the State of Oregon followed with its own Renewable Fuel Standard requiring this throughout the state.  This began the expectation of biodiesel in most diesel fuel in the Portland, Oregon area.  Washington also passed a similar policy for blending biodiesel but the enforcement and need for the fuel is less specific at Washington fuel pumps.

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Star Oilco truck refueling off-road diesel at a job site in Portland OR
Every Question We Have Been Asked About Renewable Diesel 1024 768 Star Oilco

Every Question We Have Been Asked About Renewable Diesel

Renewable Diesel Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Every Question we have been asked about Renewable Diesel

What is renewable diesel?

Renewable diesel is a synthetic diesel fuel, known for it’s lower CO2 characteristics, typically seeing purity and real world performance response superior to petroleum diesel fuel.  Renewable diesel is a next generation hydrocarbon diesel biofuel made by either the Fischer-Tropsch or Hydrogenation processes.

Hydrogenated renewable diesel is made by taking fats, oils, and greases by use of a hydro-treater.  The biomass based oil or fat is cracked and reformed in the presence of hydrogen and  catalyst forming a hydrocarbon diesel molecule.

Fischer-Tropsch renewable diesel is used by converting any btu dense feedstock (wood waste, woody biomass, municipal garbage, coal, and an endless list of low value waste products into syngas, then converting this into a wax that is reformed into hydrocarbon diesel.

Is it true that Renewable Diesel reduces CO2 emissions by more than half?

It depends on the feedstock and processes that determine the fuel pathway.  But for the most part it is safe to presume that if you use a R99 Renewable Diesel product in Oregon that it will have a lower than 50CI which would cut the CO2 emissions in half versus an equivalent gallon of gasoline used.  Sometimes Renewable Diesel can be blended with fossil fuel diesel as well as biodiesel.  Star Oilco currently presumes 99% renewable diesel is the fuel being used when describing Renewable Diesel and “cutting emissions in half” as a claim, backed up by the scientific data associated with the Oregon Clean Fuels Program and its pathways.

According to the Oregon Clean Fuels Program list of pathways for Renewable Diesel approved to be sold in Oregon shows the lowest CO2 value to be 16.36 CI and the highest to be 65CI.  Most, nearly all, of the Renewable Diesel pathways in Oregon are below 50% reduction in CO2 emissions associated with the fuel.  You can see these by reviewing the downloadable spreadsheet of “Fuel Pathways – Carbon Intensity Values” available on the left hand side of the Oregon Clean Fuels Program website under the heading “Participating Facilities” as an easy sharable link is not available.

To learn more about this please see the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Fuels Program page where CO2 emission pathways are disclosed for renewable fuels distributed in Oregon.  The system used to measure CO2 emissions and reduction is a modified Oregon “GREET” model.  GREET stands for Greenhouse gas, Regulated Emissions, and Energy Use in Technology. The GREET scientific system to review CO2 emissions was developed by the US Department of Energy and similar systems are used by California and Washington in their Low Carbon Fuel Standards as well.

Is HVO or Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil the same as Renewable Diesel?

Yes.  HVO is either R100 or R99 renewable diesel. The reason you will hear the phrase HVO or Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil instaed of renewable diesel is that the regulations and various incentives for renewable diesel have restrictions.  If renewable diesel is used in stationary power generation it is treated differently for the various subsidies and incentives.  The regulations on fuels for vehicles and equipment differ compared to utility scale power generation.  For this reason the power generation industry will refer to renewable diesel as “HVO” to denote it’s end use.

Is Sustainable Aviation Fuel or “SAF” the same as Renewable Diesel?

No.  Sustainable Aviation Fuel or “SAF” is a Jet A specification or a Number 1 diesel fuel. A Number 1 diesel fuel can be mixed with Number 2 without impacting it’s specification requirements.  Number 1 though cannot be mixed with Number 2 diesel weights and stay in specification.  It is a lighter end than Number 2 diesel meaning it has a different specific gravity weight of the fuel.   So in short SAF can be used as Renewable Diesel but has a much higher standard to meet than is required for Renewable Diesel. Therefore the products are very different based on this need for quality assurance to meet the aviation jet fuel specification.

There is a huge demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel and many of the current Renewable Diesel plants in operation are upgrading their technology to make SAF.  It is expected that in the hydrotreating processes to make renewable diesel and SAF, the Jet A fuel specification is a harder one to produce.  So as the refining of SAF increases we will expect to see subgrade SAF (product made to be SAF that does not meet the standard) be moved to the Renewable Diesel market.  We will not see Renewable Diesel being used in jets though.

Can Renewable Diesel be used as Heating Oil?

Yes.  Renewable Diesel is a synthetic hydrocarbon diesel fuel.  It can be used interchangeably with petroleum diesel products of similar grade. Heating Oil is typically number 2 diesel which is the same specification as Dyed R99 Renewable Diesel (or blends of Renewable Diesel with petroleum diesel).   Star Oilco now offers R99 Heating Oil delivered in the Portland metro region area of Oregon.

Most modern oil heat appliances use a Becket Burner.  For more on heating fuel compatibility with oil furnaces and oil burning appliance please see “Alternative Fuels and Becket Burners” for more information.

Why do people use renewable diesel over petroleum diesel?

Fleet managers operating R99 Renewable Diesel report a lower mechanical cost of operation using the fuel.  Beyond the immediate benefit of R99 cutting CO2 emissions by half or more, fleets experience performance benefits from the fuel.  The big savings are seen the the performance of Tier 4 Emission systems on modern diesel seeing far less wear of the Diesel Particulate Filter system as well as far fewer regenerations of the system.  Additionally Renewable Diesel is a very clean and dry diesel fuel improving the storage stability, field operation, and general predictability of the fuel’s performance.

How do I know Renewable Diesel is being sold at a retail location?

Renewable Diesel is a hydrocarbon diesel that meets the specification for petroleum diesel known as ASTM D975 specification.  This means currently R99 can be readily blended and sold with petroleum diesel without a disclosure.  The US Federal Trade Commission and local state Weights and Measures have rules for retail pump labeling.  Blend percentages of biomass based diesel must be labeled especially if being advertised.  As R99 Renewable Diesel has a higher value and is sought out by many consumers though usually it is disclosed.  The pump labeling for R99 Renewable Diesel typically looks like the below.

R99 Renewable Diesel fuel dispenser label

What is renewable diesel made of?

Renewable diesel can be made from a host of things, usually a low value waste product. The most common feedstock used currently is waste vegetable oil, wastes from animal rendering, and other biologically derived oils. Processes using bio-oils are following a Hydrogenation process to turn low value waste oils into high value diesel and jet fuel.

Chevron Renewable Energy Group and Diamond Green Diesel (Diamond Green is in a joint venture with Valero) are the largest producer of renewable diesel with their REG Ultra Clean Diesel product in the United States. Neste is the largest producer of renewable diesel internationally, with its “Neste My” product.  being the two largest producers of low CO2 bio-oil derived renewable diesel fuels.

Major petroleum refiners have also turned around existing petroleum refineries into Renewable Diesel Refineries to produce this in demand low CO2 fuel. HF Sinclair , Marathon, Phillips 66, and Montana Renewables. There are quite a few newer Renewable Diesel projects planned and in progress around the United States as well as in the Pacific Northwest.

Other refiners of renewable diesel (on a much smaller scale of production) are using a Fischer-Tropsch process with wood waste, sorted higher grade municipal garbage, and other high btu value carbon based waste products.  Many expect this to technology to be the future of all diesel and jet fuel refining turning refuse into fungible low carbon fuel.

What is renewable hydrocarbon diesel?

Renewable hydrocarbon diesel is a synthetic diesel fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks like vegetable oil, animal fats, municipal waste, agricultural biomass, and woody biomass. It is characterized by having a low CO2 and renewable resource for its feedstock and is made without crude petroleum, coal, or natural gas as a direct feedstock input in the refining process.

How do they make renewable diesel?

Renewable diesel is made by several processes. If you are buying renewable diesel, it is probably from a Hydrogenation process used by Renewable Energy Group and Neste for their products. Other smaller volume producers are using a Fischer-Tropsch process or Fast Pyrolysis. Both processes involve taking energy dense molecules, cracking those molecules under heat and pressure, then reforming them in the presence of a catalyst and added hydrogen, which forms a renewable diesel molecule.

Is renewable diesel a lower carbon fuel compared to petroleum diesel?

Yes, to this point all renewable diesel made from renewable feedstocks have appeared to be a lower CO2 fuel compared to petroleum diesels. The California Air Research Board in particular has done research on this in depth.

The low CO2 lifecycle emissions of Renewable Diesel also is tracked closely and supervised by California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, Washington’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and Oregon’s Clean Fuels Program. The highest value markets for low CO2 fuels in the United States are California and Oregon, which both have mechanisms that track and price the CO2 intensity of diesel fuels as well as the sustainable lower CO2 substitutes and blend-stocks that can go in those diesels. They track, rate, and determine the carbon intensity of the fuels providing a neutral and scientifically defensible number for CO2 reduction.

Is renewable diesel available in Oregon?

Renewable diesel is readily available for delivery from Star Oilco throughout the Pacific Northwest via 10,000 gallon volumes of bulk delivery.   Star Oilco is also offering bulk delivery of any size and mobile onsite fueling service within 100 miles of the Portland, Oregon market.

Star Oilco has R99 Renewable Diesel available with a Star Oilco CFN Cardlock card in Portland, Oregon.

What is the difference between biodiesel and renewable diesel?

Biodiesel and renewable diesel are very different fuels made with very different processes. In a nutshell, biodiesel is made with a simple chemical reaction that turns vegetable and animal fats into fuel. Renewable diesel is made from far more complicated process where vegetable and animal fats (as well as other feedstocks) are cracked on a molecular level and built back into synthetic diesel fuel.

What is the difference between renewable diesel and Sustainable Aviation Fuel?

The difference between the fuels is the specific gravity and general specification for what the fuel is used for. Jet fuel, or Sustainable Aviation Fuel, and on-road diesel fuel are different fuels and therefore have different specifications. Renewable diesel is typically referring to a #2 diesel specification for on road diesel use.

Sustainable Aviation Fuel or “SAF” is typically referring to “Jet A” or “JP8” jet fuel specification for fuel. This is a #1 diesel range fuel with use and handling requirements that are far more stringent than for on-road or off-road diesel fuels. Renewable jet fuel can be used as a kerosene or #1 diesel fuel but renewable diesel cannot be used as a jet fuel.

Where do I buy renewable diesel in Oregon or Washington?

Renewable Diesel is currently available for bulk delivery and mobile onsite fueling. It will soon be offered at commercial cardlock in the Portland area. It is being sold as R99 and as Ultra Clean Diesel, which is a mixture of biodiesel, renewable diesel, and petroleum diesel.

What is R99?

R99 stands for 99% renewable diesel and 1% petroleum diesel.  Federal rules over alternative diesel fuels made fuels requires that manufacturers of non-petroleum derived diesel fuels must blend a minimum 1% petroleum with the fuel to generate a Renewable Industry Number or “RIN” under the US Federal Renewable Fuel Standard. Additionally there are other incentives that require a “blender of record” to receive these tax credits.

Is renewable diesel being made in Oregon?

As of Spring 2022, renewable diesel is not being manufactured in Oregon. There is a major projects underway, Next Renewable Fuels in Port Westward, Oregon.

What is renewable diesel made from?

Renewable diesel can be made from many energy dense carbon based material.  By volume of produced product sold in the United States, vegetable oils and animal fat-based wastes are the most common feedstock. Woody biomass, agricultural wastes, and sorted municipal wastes are also sources for renewable diesel production.

Is renewable diesel made from palm oil?

Palm oil can be used as a feedstock for renewable diesel. There are producers who use palm oil as a feedstock. In the United States, feedstocks and carbon intensity are tracked closely under both Oregon and California’s fuel programs.  You can determine if a supplier is using palm oil as a feedstock through these regulated pathways.

How much does renewable diesel cost?

This is a tough question to answer given there are several markets intersecting.  From the feedstocks to the market demand for the finished product as well as both California and Oregon’s Clean Fuel Standards which place a price on the CO2 intensity of the fuel which reduces the cost of the fuel if consumed in Oregon and California.

It has consistently been trending between the same cost and over $1 a gallon higher than petroleum diesel depending on the state, you buy renewable diesel in. In California, renewable diesel is very close to petroleum diesel depending on the value of CO2 credits for lower-carbon fuels. In Oregon, it has consistently been between $.05 to $.80 a gallon higher than diesel also depending on the value of CO2 abatement associated with the fuel and what these carbon credits are trading for.

When petroleum diesel costs are high Renewable Diesel tends to be more competitive with petroleum diesel.  When petroleum diesel is below $3 a gallon the cost of Renewable Diesel by comparison is usually higher unless CO2 credits are in higher than normal demand for Clean Fuels Program demands.

Can you mix petroleum diesel and renewable diesel?

Yes. Renewable diesel and petroleum diesel can be blended in any mixture without worry. They are drop-in substitutes for each other in your fleet’s use.  Renewable Diesel is a drop-in fuel. It is a hydrocarbon diesel that will work mixed with diesel or biodiesel blends of petroleum diesel.

Green fuel nozzle representing renewable diesel with Star Oilco logo - serving Oregon and Washington fleets.

Learn more about renewable diesel and how it can benefit your operations. Contact us today.

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Get an email every time your fleet stops for fuel 1024 541 Star Oilco

Get an email every time your fleet stops for fuel

                 

Get an Email every time your driver fuels up

–Driver management tools built into a fleet card.

-Fleet card services mean more than just a bill, it is knowing who buys what, when, and where in real time.

-Make sure your Dispatcher on duty gets an email every time fuel is bought in real time.

-Know in real time what your fleet is buying and doing to get ahead of bad decisions.

 

Driver efficiency can drain your profits.  Drivers making the wrong decision about where to buy fuel is also a trainable experience.  Add to that the bad actors who might palm a fleet card.

We give you actionable data in real time as the driver makes a decision.

At those rare moments when thieves creep into your business, we also make sure you see it as it occurs.  This means you can save yourself thousands of dollars in theft before it happens.  Fuel theft usually occurs on the way to work or when bars close.  We make sure you are getting notified at every fuel purchase so you can see the out of place fuel purchase.

Our Pacific Pride cards tie a suite of tools into our E-Receipt tool making sure your team knows who is doing what with your fuel cards.  We also have added tools, if you want them, to turn the cards off by hour of day, days of the week, and by states/zip code protections.  We secure your business from those risks so you can protect yourself from surprises.


Star Oilco is an Independent Franchisee of Pacific Pride.Know who, what vehicle, what fuel, at what location in real time – to manage your fleet in real time.

Knock out fuel theft by knowing what is happening when it happens.

-E-Receipts are a simple tool that allow you total knowledge and control of your fleet’s fueling.

Managing a fleet is an orchestra of well organized chaos.  Your driver’s decision making, unforgiving customer needs, the randomness of traffic all merge into the daily life of a fleet.  Star Oilco can provide you a very simple tool to help you seize control of where, when and who makes fuel purchasing decisions.  The Star Oilco Pacific Pride card can provide an email notification every time fuel is bought notifying your team so that your fuel policy can be managed in real time.

Control the fuels they can buy, the zip codes they can buy fuel in, limit the quantity of fuel, windows of time to buy fuel (so after hours a borrowed card cannot be use), and get an email after someone gets fuel. Manage your driver’s habits as things happen.

Email notification of who, where, and what fuel was purchased after it occurs.

Many fleets have policies of when and where to fuel.  Avoiding high cost retail pumps, the nearly $.50 fuel higher tax difference for an Oregon fleet buying in Washington state, or if you use wet-hose mobile fueling to save labor and depend on a gallon quantity for a discounted price.  A driver not following your policies is very expensive.

With Pacific Pride’s e-receipt at time of transaction you will have instant confirmation, not month end audits.

Regardless of coaching and communicating often drivers have a habit of departing from even the best managed fleet’s policies.  Knowing the moment this happens can make all the difference.  It also has an added benefit of keeping people from even contemplating fuel theft as the transaction and who the offender is will be immediately noted.

Imagine it.  Your driver stops out of route for fuel, shortly after a text from dispatch asks why?   As you discuss the fuel stop with the wayward driver, they will forever and always think twice before stopping out of route again.

Know who stopped for fuel in real time. 

Get started below.

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Fuel bill audit best practices

Read more on how a Fuel Audit can help your business control fuel costs and demystify what and how you are buying fuel.  Find out what’s in a Star Oilco “Keep it Simple” Fuel Audit.

For a strategy on using Fleet Cards as a human resource management tool to stop fuel theft in your business see the Star Oilco white paper on Stopping Fuel Theft in your Business.

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Make And Keep Your Diesel Fuel Much More Clean 1024 768 Star Oilco

Make And Keep Your Diesel Fuel Much More Clean

                               Make And Keep Your Diesel Fuel A Lot More CleanClean, dry, premium diesel

What is Clean Diesel? 

Clean diesel is free of the contaminants that harm modern diesel engines. Today, there is a gap between ASTM diesel standards and the ISO cleanliness standards needed for use in high pressure common rail engines. Anyone operating a modern clean diesel engine is seeing the effect, including injector replacement, DPF regeneration, and a host of other fuel quality related maintenance concerns we never saw twenty years ago. On top of all of that, today’s refined diesel fuels are less storage stable than ever before. What is on the bottom of your bulk tank can also complicate matters further. When diesel is bought wholesale, it typically meets and exceeds ASTM required industry standards, but almost always requires additional filtration to avoid excessive engine wear and premature part failures.

Having clean diesel requires an additional amount of care. Namely, you need to make sure that the fuel is aggressively filtered at 4 microns to catch the microscopic particles that are big enough to damage your modern diesel engine’s high pressure fuel rail system. Furthermore, clean diesel is fuel that is free of water and stabilized with Premium Diesel to guarantee no bacteria, yeast and other creatures can grow and further contaminate the saddle tanks on your trucks.

For more on clean diesel, see Donaldson’s description of “The New Clean” for an in-depth explanation of what ISO cleanliness and filtration mean for your diesel fleet.

Making Diesel Cleaner!

Knowing the quality of your fuel is the first step. This is done by taking samples off of the bottom of your bulk storage, as well as a representative sample from your fuel dispenser. Lab tests of those samples will tell you if you have water, biological growth, or dirt issues with your storage. The contaminants in the tank being sampled are almost always visible, which is to say that they look horribly ugly. If your fuel quality assurance has been on autopilot, do not be surprised if you find this. After gathering knowledge about your fuel, the next step is to get your fuel quality clean.

Filtration and tank bottom sampling is the start. Beyond that, the only way to improve your fuel quality performance is to filter your fuel, ensure water is not getting into the tank through condensation, and additize it with a Premium Diesel additive to upgrade the performance of the fuel. Many fleets today are seeing injector wear and continual problems with particulate trap maintenance. This is a combination of water in fuel and microscopic particles not captured by a 10 or 30 micron filter used at most diesel dispensers. You have to filter more aggressively than this.

Clean, Dry, and Premium Diese

Where To Start?

The first step is sampling your bulk diesel tank. We check your bulk tank for water and dirt to make sure and meet the specifications your engine is built for. Star Oilco can help by providing a complementary diesel test for those fleets interested in taking control of their fuel quality assurance. Usually when testing fuel, we take a sample off of the tank bottom as well as a representative sample out of the fuel dispensing nozzle.

What we usually find is ASTM specification diesel fuel (it meets ASTM spec) that is higher than you’d want (still in spec) for water with far more dirt than the OEM’s would want to see in your engine. This dirt fails to be within the “ISO Cleanliness” specifications recommended by engine manufacturers. Usually, we also see water on the bottom of the fuel tank, which is a likely source for future or current biological growth in your fuel tank.

Star Oilco can help you fix this! The first step is to sample your fuel tank.

NOTE: If you have a current biological growth problem in your bulk fuel tank or fleet, your first step is to treat that effected fuel with a diesel microbiocide to kill the bugs growing in your tank. For more on this, see our Valvtect Plus 6 Diesel Microbiocide page.

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Oregon: The Next Generation Of Diesel

B99 and R99 Biofuels are the alternatives to petroleum diesel in Oregon

Oregon bans the sale of petroleum diesel, a rapid transition to biofuels such as renewable diesel and biodiesel are happening.

 

Oregon HB3305 explained

 

 

HB 3305 Petroleum Diesel ban

In Oregon, HB3305 is a House Bill proposed by Representative Karin Power outlaws the sales of petroleum diesel to the public for use in motor vehicles.  HB3305 quoted below:

“Prohibits retail dealer, nonretail dealer or wholesale dealer from selling petroleum diesel for use in motor vehicle on or after specified dates. Requires public improvement contract to require that motor vehicles be powered by fuel other than petroleum diesel. Prohibits public body from using petroleum diesel in motor vehicle under control of public body”

The full text of the current version of HB3305 can be seen here.

HB 3305 mandates non-petroleum diesel be the only legal fuel for sale to diesel powered motor vehicles in Oregon.

Star Oilco has customers ask about this proposal and how real it is?  In Oregon the focus on low CO2 fuels in the legislature is so consistent we can expect this to not go away.  Even if HB 3305 does not move this Legislative session, this will not be the last of biofuel mandates.  For this reason Star Oilco has been working to be ahead of the curve with non-petroleum diesel substitutes. Star Oilco has been selling B99 biodiesel since 2002 and renewable diesel since 2015.  If your fleet has an interest in learning more about low CO2 fuels or try these fuels, Star Oilco is ready to serve you with both R99 renewable diesel and B99 biodiesel.

News coverage of Oregon HB 3305 is below

The Center Square’s Oregon, whose coverage of this has been syndicated to many other online news organizations, lead with the headline: Bill in the Oregon Legislature would ban diesel fuel sales by end of decade.

CDL Life had this to say: The bill would begin to ban the sale of “petroleum” diesel by “non-retail dealers” as soon as 2024 in Clackamas, Washington or Multnomah counties and state-wide by 2027.

Landline as well has following the story: Oregon bill would ban petroleum diesel. Later in the article they add this to the background of HB 3305’s origin: Power said in a statement that her goal is to phase out petroleum-based diesel and replace it with renewable diesel. She says she introduced the bill on behalf of Titan Freight, a local trucking company she says has already transitioned to renewable diesel.

KXL covered this local news quoting Oregon State Representative Shelly Boshart-Davis, a legislator who owns a trucking company and actually buys quite a bit of petroleum diesel.

Lars Larson radio interviews Rep. Shelly Boshart-Davis about HB 3305.

KQEN news radio in Douglas County also covered it with the headline: GOP says supermajority declares war on working class.

The Wildcoast Compass covered the story quoting Rep.Vikki Breese-Iverson (R-Prineville): “There is absolutely no way we can implement this legislation in accordance to these timelines without extreme disruption to Oregonians’ daily lives and the obliteration of our economy as we know it,” 

Oregon Public Broadcasting covered HB 3305 a few days after the bill dropped which might be an indication it’s moving forward. From the story: One bill, House Bill 3305, would set a staggered timeline for ending sales of diesel in the state — first in the Portland area, then throughout Oregon. Its backers hope to spur widespread use of “renewable diesel,” a product with far lower emissions that can be used in any diesel engine. They say the fuel could be an important and near-instant way for the state to cut into greenhouse gas emissions while other technologies emerge.

The Banks Post covered HB 3305 as well with the headline: Diesel fuel under fire in Oregon legislature.

What HB 3305 means in the real world?

HB 3305 means the petroleum diesel used by any commercial vehicles operated on Oregon’s highways will be replaced with biofuels.

Biofuels will replace on-road petroleum diesel at all Oregon:

  • Retail gas stations
  • Trucks stops
  • Commercial cardlocks (Pacific Pride and CFN)
  • Privately owned bulk tanks
  • Mobile on-site fueling (wet hose fueling), and
  • All other bulk deliveries of diesel fuel. Star Oilco wanted to provide more background of what this law would mean for Oregon.  We hope this provides in depth information about what the options are for diesel fuels and a whole host of background information.  The news coverage so far fails to really provide this depth and background for those with concerns.  If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. Star Oilco seeks to be a neutral and accurate source of information.

Star Oilco sells renewable diesel in bulk and by our mobile on-site fueling service. It is worth mentioning from our first hand experience that users of it become raving fans.  Renewable diesel is a new fuel that many believe out performs petroleum diesel in every way. Many customers who have used it experienced improvements in horse power, fuel economy, and emission regeneration system performance.

Currently renewable diesel is in extreme high demand, limited production, and commands a high premium over petroleum diesel with few sources of supply.  Renewable diesel has some major backers in the trucking industry as well as OEMs.  As the availability of this next generation fuel grows, the number of plants manufacturing it expands, and it’s price comes down, this type of law may make far more sense.

If petroleum diesel is no longer legal for sale in Oregon, what does that mean diesel vehicles will use?

There are two immediately available diesel rated biofuels that can replace petroleum diesel.  These are two very different fuels. Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel have differences in their properties.  So please don’t confuse biodiesel and renewable diesel as the same fuels.

Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel are very different fuels.

Biodiesel is a proven and longtime available fuel in Oregon.   Biodiesel is not actually a hydrocarbon diesel though, it is a diesel like biofuel made from vegetable oil usually sold in a 5% to 20% blend with petroleum diesel. It is not recommended to run pure biodiesel in late model diesel engines if they have a particulate trap.  This differs from Renewable Diesel which is a next generation synthetic hydrocarbon diesel made from various feedstocks including vegetable oil.  It is actually diesel, it can be used as a pure drop in fuel without any blending with petroleum diesel.

What are non-petroleum diesel fuels?

Oregon HB 3305

Biodiesel or B99 (99% Biodiesel + 1% Petroleum Diesel)

Renewable Diesel or R99 (99% Renewable Diesel + 1% Petroleum Diesel)

Blends of Biodiesel and Renewable Diesel (branded REG UltraClean Diesel)

HB3305 allows for biofuels in replacement for diesel.  We assume that change would be from a current Oregon fuel mandates of B5 or R5 biofuel diesel blend to a B99 or R99 mandated fuel.  Oregon’s biofuel content law can be read at ORS 646.922 and we can assume this would change that to a 99% mandate. Why 99% instead of 100%, that is a good question relating to Federal regulation of the US diesel and gasoline markets.

 

Why does this require a 99% blend (B99/R99) instead of 100% biofuel?

The reason biodiesel and renewable diesel are sold at a 99% blend is because of Federal rules associated with how petroleum companies must handle these fuels.  For this fuel to be used under the US EPA’s Renewable Fuel Standard program biodiesel and renewable diesel must be blended at a minimum 1%.  When fuel is blended at 1% with diesel, the EPA enables it to generate a “Renewable Identification Number” or “RIN” which is regulated to ensure a minimum amount of biofuels is used in the stream of commerce for fuel in the United States.  This Federal program is separate and unrelated to any program in Oregon, though the law recognizes and seeks to align with the framework created by the EPA.

What are the fuels HB 3305 allows to be used by diesel motor vehicles?

The two fuels immediately available if are B99 Biodiesel and R99 Renewable Diesel.

Both of these fuels exist today but have their own drawbacks.  In a nutshell, B99 is not a drop in substitute for petroleum diesel.  It is recommended to be blended at 20% with petroleum diesel (NOTE: B99 biodiesel can be used in modern diesel with an up-fit kit provided by Optimus Technologies).  On the upside, biodiesel is plentiful and competitive with petroleum diesel in cost.  If HB 3305 passed though this plentiful fuel wouldn’t be a ready substitute beyond a 20% blend with renewable diesel or with mechanical changes to existing trucks.  Contrast this with  R99 renewable diesel as a drop in ready to go substitute for petroleum diesel.  It is ready to use without blending, but has the downside of being in short supply and at a cost premium above petroleum diesel.

If Oregon’s over 2,000,000 gallons of diesel usage a day (or 750+ million gallons a year) was mandated to renewable diesel no doubt that premium would probably exceed $2 a gallon over petroleum diesel given R99’s lack of ready additional supply.  This $5 a gallon presumes that Oregon would have to pay more for the existing renewable diesel supply finding it’s way to California with several dollars a gallon of value paid for it’s lower CO2 baseline value.  California has a Clean Fuel Standard and a CO2 Cap and Trade program which provide a monetary value for renewable diesel’s lower CO2 numbers.  Oregon has a Clean Fuel Program as well, but it’s program does not pay as much for low CO2 fuels as California, making low CO2 fuels such as renewable diesel more expensive in Oregon.

B99 Biodiesel in depth.

Blends of biodiesel below 20% are extremely common in Oregon.  All fuel must contain at least 5% biodiesel content and many retail outlets, cardlocks, and major truck stops commonly sell a 10% to 20% blend of biodiesel around the state.

Biodiesel is a diesel like fuel manufactured by a chemical reaction called transesterfication, typically from vegetable oil or recycled cooking oil.  It is made by a relatively simple process and biodiesel has been a proven fuel in use in Oregon for nearly twenty years.  Star Oilco started handling and selling biodiesel in 2002.  Prior to 2007, B99 was commonly used by many commercial fleets due to it’s huge reductions in tail pipe emissions.  Vehicles manufactured after 2007, are clean diesels.  The US EPA required new clean diesel emissions systems which are impressive in their ability to make modern diesel engines extremely clean, but they can only handle biodiesel blends below B20 or 20% biodiesel unless an upgraded system is added.

Today B99 is a possible fuel for a modern clean diesel fleet with an upgrade to existing vehicle fuel supply system.  Optimus Technologies has an approved technology to enable a modern diesel aftertreatment system to operate without problems on B99.   Star Oilco has purchased five of these systems and is currently fielding them in the Pacific NW.  We expect these systems to be mainstream in coming years, but just like Renewable Diesel the technology is newly available and scaling up.

For more information about biodiesel please see our biodiesel FAQ titled Every question Star Oilco has been asked about biodiesel.

If you are interested in using biodiesel in your fleet, you can contact Star Oilco with questions or if you want to start researching we highly recommend starting with this US Department of Energy handbook titled Biodiesel Use and Handling.

 

R99 Renewable Diesel in depth.

Renewable Diesel is a next generation biofuel made from fats, oils, and greases. It is not an alternative diesel, renewable diesel is a petroleum free hydrocarbon diesel fuel. It is diesel! Renewable diesel not only less than half the CO2 of diesel refined from petroleum fuel, but it is cleaner burning and has shown evidence of reducing the cost of maintenance in fleets using it. Renewable diesel is a profound technology which has the potential to use the lowest grade trap greases, sewer materials, rendering wastes, municipal garbage, and a host of other refuse products making them into this high performance, sustainable, low CO2 diesel.

There are two categories of technology that renewable diesel is made from.  Hydrogenation and Fischer Tropsch process.

Renewable Diesel from Hydrogenation or Hydrotreating

Hydrogenation derived renewable diesel is very similar in manufacture to modern petroleum diesel in that the molecules of a the feedstock is cracked and reformed in the presence of a catalyst to form a very specific series of hydrocarbon molecules.  These being diesel and propane range fuels. The feedstocks used by renewable diesel plants are vegetable oils and animal fats.

The hydrotreating plants providing renewable diesel to Oregon currently are Neste from a plant in Indonesia, Diamond Green (in a joint venture with Valero), Sinclair, and Renewable Energy Group. All of these plants are over subscribed and 100% of their production is being taken at a premium primarily by the California low CO2 fuels market.   There are several new renewable diesel plants under way though.  Holly Frontier, Marathon, CVR Energy, and Phillips 66 are converting existing petroleum refineries into renewable diesel plants.  This process costs billions of dollars, will take years to complete, and also will be likely destined for California’s low CO2 fuel market with smaller markets like Oregon being an afterthought.

Renewable Diesel from Fischer Tropsch process.

Currently there are a number of smaller demonstration facilities making renewable diesel from wood waste and other feedstocks.  The largest proposed project currently on the books is Illinois Clean Fuels which will be collocated with major CO2 capture facility making their product negative CO2.  Fischer Tropsch renewable diesel is expected to be the future of refining given it’s flexibility of feedstock.  It’s process enables the use of municipal garbage, agricultural waste, woody biomass, and other low value plentiful materials as feedstock.  Given that the United States is called by some the “Saudi Arabia of garbage” we have plenty of supply waiting for a higher and better use as low CO2 transportation fuel.  Illinois Clean Fuels has a great explanation of how Fischer Tropsch makes renewable diesel and jet fuels.

Where can you get Renewable Diesel in Oregon?

Star Oilco currently is selling R99 Renewable Diesel for commercial use.  We can deliver to fleets seeking it in bulk or mobile onsite delivery (wet hose R99 diesel service began in the Spring of 2021).  Call Star Oilco if you have an interest in Renewable Diesel for your fleet 503-283-1256.

If you have questions about renewable diesel, Star Oilco wants to provide answers.  Feel free to reach out if we do not have the answer we will research it.

For more information about renewable diesel please see our renewable diesel FAQ titled Every question Star Oilco has been asked about Renewable Diesel.

 

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