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Oregon: The Next Generation Of Diesel 1024 683 Star Oilco

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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Do Diesel Soaps Cause Engine Problems? 1024 768 Star Oilco

Do Diesel Soaps Cause Engine Problems?

Star Oilco answers: What are Diesel Soaps?

Cliff Burbrink, chemical technology specialist at Cummins Filtration, provides a layman’s definition of diesel soaps:

“Diesel soap is not very different chemically than the soap used to wash your hands. The main ingredient in a bar of soap is formed when lye reacts with fats or oils. Lye is sodium hydroxide.

Fats and oils contain fatty acids. When they react, they form sodium soaps. Diesel soaps are formed from acidic additives in the fuel [such as some corrosion inhibitors and lubricity improvers] reacting with trace amounts of sodium.”

 

Rick Chapman, Industry & OEM Liaison Manager, Innospec Fuel Specialties, adds that acids can be derived also from other sources:

“[Soaps] can also be formed from free fatty acids in biodiesel starting materials and carboxylic acids derived from oxidatively degraded fuel and/or biodiesel.”

 

From a layman’s point of view, then, the formation of diesel soaps is the result of metals, such as sodium, calcium and potassium (in the form of positively charged ions, or cations), reacting with various sources of acid in the fuel.

 

“When these two species [acidic compounds and cations (usually sodium)] come together, diesel soap can form,” says Chapman.

“There are a lot of other factors or variables that can play into it, of course, such as pH, solubility, mixing intensity and so forth—but this is the basis for it. Unfortunately, when these soaps form, assuming they are formed from additives, they make the corrosion inhibitor or lubricity improver inert, and the corrosion or lubricity protection provided by the additive is lost.”

 

 

 Diesel soaps

 

  1. Plug fuel filters
  2. Form injector deposits that lead to over-fueling
  3. Create Turbocharger problems
  4. Generate Oil dilution
  5. Cause Poor performance, and poor fuel economy

 

In a May 2013 report, “Case Study—Impact of Poor Diesel Fuel Quality on an Urban Fleet,” Cummins Filtration investigated problems with diesel engines in a New York City bus fleet.

Complaints ranged from an excessive number of turbocharger fault codes to smoke at start-up to fuel-injector failures. The investigation uncovered excessive soot deposits in the turbocharger, resulting from over-fueling, which was determined to be the result of fuel injectors sticking because of deposits that were “rich” in the metals of sodium and calcium.

Although injectors showed sign of scuffing—the result of hard particle contamination, which, says the report,

“is the greatest fuel quality concern for high-pressure/common-rail fuel systems, worldwide”

—investigators determined that scuffing was not the primary issue for the immediate problems the bus engines were exhibiting.

The culprits in this instance were “metal carboxylates” in the fuel, more commonly know as “diesel soaps.” The recommended fix for the problem was use of a fuel additive that could both clean the Injectors and minimize further deposits, coupled with much tighter filtration.

 

Another Bad Actor

 

 

 

Biofuel is manufactured by reacting a plant-derived fat or oil (usually soybeans in the United States) with an alcohol, using sodium hydroxide as a catalyst. An unwanted by-product of the process is glycerin.

Although most of the glycerin is washed out during the manufacturing process, regulations do allow 200 ppm to remain.

Biofuel usually is mixed with petroleum diesel in 5-, 10- or 20-percent concentrations to form biofuel blends, but even at these relatively low concentrations, enough glycerin remains to create filter-plugging problems when, under certain fuel moisture and temperatures conditions, it becomes a solid and drops out of solution.

To help counteract glycerin’s effects, Jim Peterson, sales manager for Donaldson’s Hydraulics and Clean Solutions Group, suggests these measures:

  • Filter fuel on the dispensing side of the bulk tank and use proper on-machine filters
  • Keep fuel dry with proper tank flushing and proper breathers
  • If possible, moderate the temperature of stored fuel above the glycerin dropout level
  • Turn over fuel as quickly as possible
  • Keep fuel infrastructure as free from particulate contamination as possible
  • Ask OEMs about using detergent additives to keep glycerin in solution, both in equipment and bulk storage

 

Filtration and Additives

 

 

 

As noted before, the contamination of diesel fuel with soaps is not as prevalent, at least in many fleets, as other sources of fuel contamination.

These other fuel contaminates include hard particulates, increased water in biofuel blends, rapid oxidation of such blends, microbial growth, so-called asphaltenes (compounds that can agglomerate into an oily sludge), acetic acid formation and glycerin.

Glycerin being an unwanted by-product of biofuel manufacturing. “There are so many inherent problems with diesel fuel today,” says Hydrotex’s Cummins, “that machine owners must take a holistic approach when attempting to resolve them.”

The best defense against diesel soaps (and for most other contaminants, as well) seems to be the use of premium filtration, like the “Donaldson clean & Dry kit which includes 4 micron particulate and water filters. The kit also incorporates a desiccant breather to absorb moisture.”

Donaldson Clean and Dry Filter kit

In addition, (tank intake, tank dispensing, and on-machine), good tank housekeeping, and a well-chosen additive package.

Additives might be included in “premium” diesel fuel offered by some jobbers, but solving a serious soap problem might require consultation with an additive supplier who can take a comprehensive, laboratory-assisted view of all the fuel-quality issues in a particular fleet.

But, the best efforts are no guarantee of complete success when dealing with diesel soaps.

“We’ve seen soap deposits form in engines that use our most effective filters—those proved to remove 99.9 percent of material 4 microns and larger and significant amounts of material smaller than 4 microns,”  says Cummins Filtration’s Burbrink.

“If soap particles don’t agglomerate before the filter, they can pass through it. When they hit the injectors, the heat can cause these particles to deposit on metal.”

 

Deposit control

 

 

 

“We have seen great success with some additives,” says Burbrink. “The use of good detergents has dropped the failure rate significantly in some applications. Unfortunately, we also have seen customers having issues even though they are using detergents.”

That said, a well-formulated additive package seems to be an integral part of the potential resolution of problems with diesel soaps.

A good, multi-functional package will contain corrosion inhibitors and lubricity improvers (some formulations use nonacid, non-reacting lubricity improvers), as well as a deposit-control agent that will assist in cleaning injectors and minimizing further deposits.

 

The Key

 

 

 

“The key to diminishing field issues is the use of a two-prong strategy,” says Innospec’s Chapman. “One, use an additive that provides the required lubricity but is resistant to reaction with metal hydroxides, and, two, use a deposit-control additive to ‘clean up’ and ‘keep clean’ any deposits that may form, regardless of the their source. Deposit-control additives are useful for reducing injector deposits, reducing filter plugging, and for carrying through trace amounts of water. In lower-dose rates, or at a ‘keep-clean’ level, they will put a protective coating on metal surfaces and not allow deposits to form—or will limit their formation.”

Hydrotex’s Cummins makes the point, too, that treatment rates for additives, a corrosion inhibitor, for example, might have to be adjusted to meet the conditions of a particular storage tank. Cummins also reminds machine owners that deposit-control additives might need time to work in certain situations: “Soap deposits can get very deep into the injectors, become sticky, and cause poor actuation of the pintle. A good additive package will help clean the injectors, but given the nature of the deposits, it’s usually not a quick fix. The process might require four or five tanks of treated fuel before improvement is noticed.”

Sunrock’s Dennis offers this suggestion to fellow fleet managers: “I would recommend that fleet managers, if they haven’t already done so, educate their fuel suppliers on the subject of upstream fuel-contamination issues and their effects on diesel engines.

Managers can use that opportunity to register their concerns about diesel soaps—for the purpose of promoting a partnership in utilizing countermeasures against diesel-fuel contamination. Their fleet reliability depends on it.”

 

 

To read more technical data on Diesel Soap click link below

SOAP AND GLYCERIN REMOVAL FROM BIODIESEL  

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Weekly Fuel Market Report – May 31st – June 6th, 2026 1024 683 Star Oilco

Weekly Fuel Market Report – May 31st – June 6th, 2026
fuel-market-report-star-oilco
Line chart showing a month-long trend with crude oil price per barrel and regular gas prices for Oregon, Washington, and USA average (May–June 2026). Gas prices generally decline while crude oil fluctuates.

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 6/6/26

Wholesale LowWholesale Avg
E10$3.52$3.65
B5$4.19$4.31
B20$4.16$4.24
R99$3.63$3.72

Average Retail Prices 6/6/26

NationalOregonWashington
E10$4.17$5.13$5.62
B5$5.31$5.96$6.56

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 price table by grade with current averages: Regular $5.2410, Mid $5.5010, Premium $5.7690, Diesel $6.0590.

Fuel Market News

Fuel prices fell this past week, while rack gas prices dropped, and retail prices were mostly stagnant. Wholesale rack prices for diesel dropped by only $0.01/gal in Portland, while gas dropped by over $0.12/gal. Retail gas prices in Portland are still over $5/gal at a current average of around $5.13/gal, while the Seattle area is over $5.85/gal.  Retail diesel prices in Portland are still over $6/gal at a current average of around $6.06, while the Seattle area is over $6.81/gal. As of June 8th, the main pipeline in Washington state is down for maintenance. The area will likely see price upticks rolling into this week.

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 $194

Higher Oil Prices Cost US Consumers $45 Billion

US Strikes Iran 05/30

Crude oil is hovering just below $95/barrel, at a current price of $94.35/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 $94.35/barrel compared to $95.45/barrel last week and $74 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.

Give Us A Call Today

For other news in the fuel market:

● https://gasprices.aaa.com/?state=OR

● https://www.gasbuddy.com/charts

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How Renewable Diesel Is Made 940 788 Star Oilco

How Renewable Diesel Is Made

Renewable diesel is a type of biofuel called biomass based diesel

How Renewable Diesel is Made

How is Renewable Diesel made?

Very similarly to fossil fuel diesel.

In the 1990’s the world started moving towards an ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel specification. Over decades we have arrived to where even marine fuels are running a lower sulfur fuel. The technology used to achieve this is hydrotreating the distilled crude oils.  By use of hydrocrackers, the molecules of petroleum crude oils are cracked and reformed into ultra-low sulfur diesel.  The use of hydrotreating diesel fuels has enabled the removal of sulfur and then enabling the use of emissions systems that not only reduce acid rain but also smog causing emissions like NOx.  This advanced petroleum refining chemistry technology is the forebearer to today’s renewable diesel technologies.  The technical chemistry of taking a feedstock, cracking the molecules and reforming them into a final product is where renewable diesel comes from.

Renewable diesel is a type of biofuel that is chemically similar to petroleum diesel and can be used in any diesel engine. It can be produced from various feedstocks, such as vegetable oils, animal fats, waste cooking oil, and algae. Renewable diesel can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality compared to petroleum diesel⁵.  The inputs for renewable diesel are typically low value but high btu value feedstocks.   From virgin soy bean and canola oils to the lowest grade municipal wastes.  The modern chemistry of today’s petrochemical industry transforms them into the highly sought fuels. 

There are two processes making renewable diesel.  Hydrogenation and Fischer Tropsch Pyrolysis.

The most common way to produce renewable diesel is by hydrotreating, commonly referred to as hydrocracking, which involves reacting the feedstock with hydrogen under high temperature and pressure in the presence of a catalyst.  Renewable diesel made with this process is often called Hydogenated Vegetable Oil (HVO). HVO and Renewable Diesel are the same fuel.  Utility scale power generation often will refer to HVO as their technical term for this low CO2 biofuel.

How HVO is made is extremely similar to crude fossil fuel.  The investments to do it also cost billions of dollars similar to the costs of petroleum refining.  Imagine a vegetable or animal fat being put under pressure, the molecules are cracked into smaller chain molecules and as this stream of feedstock is passed in the presence of a catalyst as hydrogen is added it forms hydrocarbon molecules like diesel, jet fuel, and propane.   This process removes oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, and other impurities from the feedstock and converts it into hydrocarbons that are similar to those in petroleum diesel⁴⁵. Hydro processing is also used in petroleum refineries to upgrade crude oil into various fuels, such as renewable diesel. 

Other ways to produce renewable diesel include pyrolysis, usually using a Fischer Tropsch process.  Pyrolysis is usually made from high energy content dry garbage.  Think wood waste, plastics, tires, and other high Btu content waste streams.  These garbage feedstocks are transformed into hydrocarbons with a process of heating the feedstock in the absence of oxygen to produce a liquid bio-oil that can be further upgraded into renewable diesel; gasification, which involves converting the feedstock into a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas) that can be synthesized into renewable diesel; and biochemical and thermochemical technologies, which involve using enzymes, microorganisms, or catalysts to convert the feedstock into renewable diesel⁴. 

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. production capacity for renewable diesel could increase significantly through 2030, based on several announced and developing projects. This growth is driven by higher state and federal targets for renewable fuel, favorable tax credits, and the conversion of existing petroleum refineries into renewable diesel refineries². As of the end of 2020, U.S. renewable diesel production capacity totaled nearly 0.6 billion gallons per year (gal/y), or 38,000 barrels per day (b/d). Several projects currently under construction or completed can jump this capacity up billions of gallons.  could increase this capacity by 2.4 billion gal/y; proposed and announced projects would add another 1.8 billion gal/y by 2024. If all projects come online as intended, U.S. renewable diesel production would total 5.1 billion gal/y (330,000 b/d) by the end of 2024². 

Globally, over 1.45 billion gallons of renewable diesel are produced annually and are forecasted to grow up to 3.34 billion gallons in 2024. Neste, a Finland based petroleum refining company, is currently dominating the production of renewable diesel¹. Other major producers in the United States include Chevron, BP, Seaboard Energy, Phillips 66, HF Sinclair, Montana Renewables, Marathon, and Diamond Green Diesel¹. 

Resources:

(1) Renewable Diesel – Alternative Fuels Data Center.

(2) Renewable Diesel and Biodiesel Basics – EIA 

(3) U.S. renewable diesel capacity could increase – EIA

(4) Renewable Diesel: The Fuel of the Future – FutureBridge.

(5) Overview of the Production Capacity of U.S. Renewable Diesel Plants

Diesel fuel flowing into a dark reflective liquid surface
What Are Our Options for Alternative Fuels? 1024 578 Star Oilco

What Are Our Options for Alternative Fuels?

What are our options for alternative fuel?

Biofuels are eco-friendly fuel choices because they are made from renewable resources and produce fewer emissions than fossil fuels. Biofuels and biodiesel can also be used to improve air quality. They also allow us to reduce the dependence we have on using fossil fuels. 

Biofuels are liquid fuels produced from biomass, which is organic matter such as plants, algae, and agricultural waste. Biofuels can be used to power vehicles, generate electricity, and heat homes and businesses.  Biofuels are renewable and can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. They provide an alternative to fossil fuels and help to conserve natural resources. Reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases is an important factor in helping to combat climate change. Biofuels have the potential to be a significant part of the solution. Biofuels can reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by replacing fossil fuels, which are made from non-renewable sources. Using biofuels instead of fossil fuels can also help to reduce air pollution. 

Some common types of biofuels include: 

Ethanol

Ethanol is a type of alcohol that is made from fermented corn, sugarcane, and other crops. It is blended with gasoline to create E85, a fuel that can be used in flexible-fuel vehicles.  This type of fuel is cheaper than regular gasoline, and it is more environmentally friendly. It is also safer to store and transport than other types of fuel. The benefits of using ethanol fuel include reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, improved air quality, and increased energy security. It is also renewable and biodegradable, making it a more sustainable fuel choice. Additionally, the production and use of ethanol fuel can create jobs and support local economies. 

 

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a type of diesel fuel that is made from vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste grease. It can be used in unmodified diesel engines as a drop-in solution. It is a renewable fuel and emits less carbon dioxide than petroleum-based diesel. Biodiesel is also less toxic and it’s biodegradable. The benefits of biodiesel include reduced emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and unburned hydrocarbons; improved combustion efficiency and power output; improved lubricity; and improved fuel economy. Additionally, biodiesel is biodegradable and has a lower energy content than petroleum-based diesel, making it safer to handle and transport in the Portland, Oregon metro area as well as Vancouver, Washington. 

Biodiesel can be used in a variety of applications, including transportation, heating and electricity. Biodiesel is used in transportation to power diesel engines in cars, trucks, buses, and other vehicles. Biodiesel can also be used to heat homes and businesses. Biodiesel also can generate electricity in power plants.  

Biodiesel is a promising alternative to petroleum diesel, and its use is growing around the world. The United States is the world’s largest producer of biodiesel. 

Algae-based biofuels

Algae-based biofuels are a new type of biofuel that is made from algae. Algae are a rapidly renewable resource that can be grown in a variety of environments. Algae is a group of photosynthetic organisms that grow in water. Algae have the potential to produce significantly more oil than traditional biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, and they can be grown on non-arable land, such as saltwater or wastewater. This makes algae an attractive potential source of renewable fuel. 

When algae are grown in the right conditions, they can produce up to 77% oil, which can be converted into biodiesel, renewable diesel, or other biofuels such as ethanol, butanol and jet fuel. Algae-based biofuels have the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity generation, and other industries. However, there are still challenges that need to be overcome before algae-based biofuels can be commercially viable. These challenges include scalable production, costs, efficient harvesting and efficient processing to extract the oil. There is a lot of research and development underway to overcome these challenges and with continued investment, algae-based biofuels have the potential to become a major source of renewable fuel in the future. 

 

Hydrogen

Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that has the potential to play a significant role in the transition to a clean energy future. It is the most abundant element in the universe and can be produced from a variety of sources, including natural gas, biomass, and renewable electricity. When used in a fuel cell, hydrogen produces only water and heat, making it a clean and efficient fuel source. 

Using hydrogen as a fuel provides clean burning, a high energy density, efficiency, among many other benefits. Hydrogen doesn’t produce any emissions of harmful pollutants which makes it an attractive option as a fossil fuel alternative. Hydrogen’s high energy density means that a relatively small amount of hydrogen can provide a lot of energy. Using hydrogen fuel cells to generate electricity are 2-3 times more efficient than internal combustion engines. It can also be used in a wide range of applications, including transportation, electricity generation as well as industrial processes.  

Some of the challenges we face with hydrogen as a fuel are its current methods of production. They are not always as clean or sustainable currently. Storing hydrogen, being a gas, requires specialized storage tanks. The infrastructure for transporting and distributing hydrogen is not yet fully developed.  

Overall, there is a growing interest in using hydrogen as a fuel source with very promising results and possibilities in our future. Governments and businesses all over the world have been investing in research and development to figure out solutions to these challenges in order to make hydrogen a more viable energy source.  

Renewable Diesel

Renewable diesel can also be known as hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO) or green diesel, and is a type of biofuel that is chemically identical to petroleum diesel. It is produced from a variety of feedstocks, including vegetable oils, animal fats, and waste oils. Renewable diesel can be used in any diesel engine without modification, and it offers a number of environmental benefits over petroleum diesel, including: 

 

Reduced greenhouse gas emissions 

Renewable diesel (R99) reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% compared to petroleum diesel. R99 being cleaner and more efficient, makes it an attractive option for many transportation companies. 

 

Improved air quality 

Renewable diesel produces fewer harmful pollutants, such as particulate matter and sulfur oxides, than petroleum diesel. Additionally, renewable diesel is lower in carbon than petroleum diesel, making it a more sustainable option for transportation. Renewable diesel is also more efficient, reducing the amount of energy needed to produce the same amount of fuel. 

 

Biodegradability  

Renewable diesel is biodegradable, meaning that it breaks down naturally in the environment.  This helps to reduce the amount of harmful pollutants in the environment. Renewable diesel also reduces emissions of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to climate change. 

Renewable diesel is a promising alternative to petroleum diesel, and its use is growing around the world. The United States is the world’s largest producer of renewable diesel, and the European Union has a mandate to use 10% renewable diesel by 2030.  

Even more of the benefits of using renewable diesel:  

The use of renewable diesel helps reduce our dependence on fossil fuels since it is a renewable fuel.  

The local economy can be supported by renewable diesel, which is often produced from local crops.  

A number of sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation, create jobs in the renewable diesel industry.  

Ultimately, renewable diesel is a clean and sustainable fuel that offers environmental and economic benefits. Around the world, its use is growing as an alternative to petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel helps to reduce air pollution, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce dependence on foreign oil. It is also a renewable and sustainable fuel source that can be used to produce electricity. As such, renewable diesel is an important option for reducing carbon emissions and improving sustainability overall. 

When we look at the variety of renewable and biofuel opportunities, there are a variety of ways that we can reduce our carbon footprint today without any modifications to our current engines. However, long term, we have opportunities that we can explore for where we believe that our future is going and the solutions that can allow for an even greater impact to our Pacific Northwest carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Among all of the renewable resources, we can reduce air pollution, increase economic benefits and create a more sustainable future for the Portland, OR and Vancouver, WA metro areas. As technology continues to improve and the production of biofuels and biodiesel becomes more efficient, these fuels are likely to become more affordable and widely available. Feel free to give Star Oilco a call today to discuss your fueling needs today and how we can provide you with renewable sources today as a drop-in solution. 

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Construction Loaner Diesel Tanks
Diesel Fueling for Construction Jobsites 720 720 Star Oilco

Diesel Fueling for Construction Jobsites

Diesel fueling for construction jobsites in Portland, Oregon.

Keep full service for construction jobsites with R99 Renewable Diesel available.

Diesel Fuel for Construction

 

If you are managing a project we will keep that jobsite full.

Diesel fueling for construction jobsites seven days a week in the Portland metro region.  We have a variety of diesels accompanied with DEF top off to keep your operation running without interruption. We can provide a consistent schedule to keep going seven days a week.  If you are running generators, blowers, heaters and other 24-7 equipment we can keep those running through the weekends.  Our autofill construction service can provide the fuel you need, tanks for your project, and regular scheduled service to guarantee uptime.

Does your diesel fueling for construction needs call for a guaranteed stops on a schedule? Do your projects sometime require every 12 hour or 6 hour fueling? Does you fueling project needs call for generators, heaters, reefer-trailers, light sets, and yellow iron?  Star Oilco can do a few gallons wet hose fueled into your equipment to 100,000+ supply contracted for your project.  We have trucks dispatched seven days a week with several shifts.  Star Oilco can do twice a day fueling if needed for your project including regular 0 gallon stop by visits to confirm your equipment is running.

We can keep your generators running, your heaters blowing hot air, your pumps pumping, and your crew running without having to stop for fuel or DEF!

 

Fueling Back Hoe on construction site

Jobsite fueling service to meet the needs of your project management.

Off Road Diesel, Dyed Renewable Diesel and DEF available for your project need.

 

Mobile Fueling of Construction site in Portland, Oregon

Keep Full Mobile Onsite Fueling

Star Oilco can provide scheduled mobile fueling to your jobsite seven days a week.  Our diesel construction fuel service includes onsite tanks as well as DEF equipment for your project needs. At start of shift and end of shift schedule is also available for delivery.

 

 

 

Tight Access Diesel Construction Fueling Available.

Star Oilco’s fleet includes smaller fuel trucks able to access tight to reach areas in parking garages, active facilities, back alleys, inside buildings, and other hard to reach areas required by a project.

 

 

 

 

DEF Delivery Included with your Diesel Fueling.

Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) keep full and bulk delivery service to your jobsite.  We have DEF bulk equipment as well as boxes available for your project.  What you want for your operations is what we want. Keeping those small DEF tanks full and generators running is what we can do for you.  We are here to make it easy.

 

 

 

Renewable Diesel in Oregon

Dyed Renewable Diesel for your Diesel Construction Fueling needs.

Does your project require a lower CO2 footprint?  We have off-road R99 Renewable Diesel on our trucks daily.  Star Oilco also has multiple sources for R99 in the Pacific Northwest for your needs to guarantee supply. If large volumes are needed for Renewable Diesel for a project in the future we can enable a contract to meet these needs.

 

 

Construction Loaner Diesel Tanks

 

Diesel Fueling Construction Tanks available.

Star Oilco has fuel tanks available for your project.  Our typical inventory of tanks sizes are 250 and 500 gallon UL142 double wall thanks.  We have 100 and 50 gallon fuel cells for moving fuel around a jobsite in the back of a fuel truck. Larger sizes available for longer term and larger projects with advance planning.

 

 

 

Wet Hose Fueling Service in Vancouver, WashingtonStar Oilco can provide your project with the fuel you request.
– B5 ULSD Dyed Diesel
– B20 ULSD Dyed Diesel
– Dyed R99 Renewable Diesel
– E10 Gasoline
– Non-Ethanol Premium Gasoline
– Kerosene, and others if the project calls for it.

Schedule Your Fuel Delivery Today

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What Is Portland’s Renewable Fuel Standard? 1024 768 Star Oilco

What Is Portland’s Renewable Fuel Standard?

Diesel Fuel Is Changing In Portland With The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS)

Portland Old Town sign representing the city’s commitment to renewable fuel standards

Figuring out what this means for you or your business can be challenging. We have shared many questions that we have been asked already, to help provide more clarity on what this Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) means for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers​. If your question isn’t listed below, please reach out to Star Oilco so we can make sure your questions are answered!

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What is the Portland's Renewable Fuel Standard?

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is Portland City Council’s response to the City’s 2022-2025 Climate Emergency Workplan,  which lists the City’s priority actions over the next three years.​

On Dec. 7, 2022, City Council unanimously adopted amendments to the Renewable Fuel Standard, Portland City Code Chapter 16.60, which reduces dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels, by increasing the required percentage of renewable fuels blended with petroleum diesel sold in the city of Portland.​

This policy increases low-carbon biofuel blends, moving Portland’s diesel fuel mix to 99% renewable by 2030. This policy includes a carbon intensity standard to shift to fuels that are lower carbon across their entire lifecycle.

What Does The Renewable Fuel Standard Mean For Me?

Portlands Renewable Fuel Standard Requirements

 July 1, 2024, Portland required that all diesel fuel sold contain a minimum 15% blend of biodiesel or renewable diesel. This percentage will increase steadily over the next few years, reaching a minimum 99% renewable fuel requirement by July 1, 2030.

There are no reporting requirements for retailers to comply with this mandate. Instead, the city enforces compliance through random on-site inspections and by requiring retailers to maintain records of the biofuel content of the diesel they sell.

Who Does The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Apply To?

  • The policy speaks to “Covered Entities”​
  • Diesel Fuel Transaction within the City of Portland Oregon​
  • Fuel distributors, resellers, retailers, nonretail dealers, terminals, importers and wholesale purchaser-consumers are directly regulated by PCC Chapter 16.60 and referred to as “covered entities.”
  • Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers​: also know as WPCs are directly regulated by PCC Chapter 16.60 and referred to as “covered entities.”​

What Are Considered Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers ?

Wholesale purchaser-consumer (WPC) is a category of entities that own or utilize diesel vehicle fleets and purchase fuel in bulk for delivery into a storage tank at their facility or directly into a vehicles fuel tank. WPCs are required to register with the RFS program.​

A fuel distributor or common carrier delivers on road diesel to your facilities on-site tank such as: ​

  • Bulk Tank​
  • Aboveground Storage Tank (AST)​
  • Underground Storage Tank (UST)​

A fuel distributor delivers on road diesel directly into your vehicles also known as:​

  • On-Site Fleet Fueling​
  • Wet Hose Fueling​

Does The RFS Only Apply To Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers of Diesel Fuel?

Yes, these rules apply to fuel for on-road motor vehicles. Fuels used for the following purposes are not covered by these rules: ​

  1. Railroad locomotives, watercraft, aircraft, and emergency equipment​
  2. Dyed diesel for off-road vehicles​
  3. Dyed diesel for furnaces, boilers, generators​
  4. Propane and liquefied natural gas for vehicles​

What Are The Requirements To Meet The RFS?

Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers are required to meet three primary components of the RFS:​

  1. Biofuel Minimum Content Requirements,​
  2. Carbon Intensity standard,​
  3. Selecting a compliance option, and​
  4. Record keeping.​

What is the biofuel minimum content requirements for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers ?

Biofuel Minimum Content Requirements for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers​

  • WPCs in the City of Portland are required to meet the minimum biofuel content requirements for all fuel they purchase for their vehicle fleet. Beginning July 1, 2024, all diesel purchased must include 15% biofuel content, from either renewable diesel or biodiesel. This requirement increases to 50% on July 1, 2026, and 99% on July 1, 2030.​
  • The biofuel content requirements will be enforced through random inspections of fleet facilities to see that they (1) have a contract in place with fuel suppliers that specifies that fuel meets the minimum blend requirements, or (2) verification of actual products purchased through testing or review of product transfer documents.

What is the Carbon Intensity (CI) Standard for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers ?

  • All WPCs also need to be aware of the Carbon Intensity Standard in PCC Chapter 16.60.​
  • All biodiesel and renewable diesel sold in the City of Portland must have a carbon intensity equal to or less than 40g CO2e/MJ as certified by DEQ’s Clean Fuels Program, Approved Carbon Intensity Values.​
  • Carbon intensity requirements apply to biofuel blendstock, not the final blended products, which may contain a portion of petroleum-based diesel fuel at a higher carbon intensity.​

Selecting a compliance option for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers​

  • WPCs will need to select a compliance option by the start of the compliance period, July 1, 2024.​
  • Portland Bureau of Planning & Sustainability (BPS) will provide notification about selecting compliance options by May 31, 2024.​
  • To receive notification, covered entities must be registered with the RFS Program. ​

*Compliance option selection may be changed at any time during the compliance period after consulting with BPS. If a covered entity decides to change the compliance option during the compliance period, they are responsible for compliance under the new option for the full compliance period.

Record Keeping Requirements for Wholesale Purchaser-Consumers​

Portland City Code (PCC) Chapter 16.60 and administrative rules requires that an invoice, bill of lading, shipping paper, or other documentation, referred to as “Product Transfer Documents” (PTD) must accompany each fuel delivery in the city of Portland. The administrative rules specify that:​

  1. PTDs must include the type of renewable fuel, including biodiesel, renewable diesel, ethanol, or any blends of these fuels, and declare the volume percent of such renewable fuel.​
  2. PTDs must comply with OAR 603-027-0430 (1) (a) which includes identifying the quantity, the name of the product, the name and address of the seller and buyer, and the date and time of the sale.​
  3. WPCs using the Product Transfer Document compliance pathway must also ensure that fuel pathway codes issued by Oregon Clean Fuels Program are also included on a PTD associated with each delivery received by the WPC or have a contract with a fuel supplier specifying the carbon intensity requirements of PCC Chapter 16.60.​

Contact Us Today To Learn More About The RFS For Your Operations

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Clear Premium Non-Ethanol Gasoline 683 1024 Star Oilco

Clear Premium Non-Ethanol Gasoline

Do you need Non-Ethanol Gasoline delivered in the Portland, Oregon area?

If you are looking for Non-Ethanol Premium Gasoline delivered to your bulk tank or available at a Commercial Cardlock, Star Oilco has your needs covered in the Pacific Northwest.

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Premium Unleaded without Ethanol in the Gasoline

Nonoxy Premium is the fuel you want in a gasoline tank if you are storing equipment with a full tank of fuel.

Premium gasoline without any ethanol blended into it goes by several names.  Clear premium unleaded, Non-Oxy (non-oxygenated) premium, nonethanol gasoline, or Clear 91 Octane are a few of the terms used.  Regardless of what it is called, getting gasoline without ethanol in the Portland, Oregon area requires buying a premium rated gasoline.

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Clear Gasoline Premium bulk tank delivery

Why is the only ethanol free gasoline in Oregon and Washington premium grade of 92 octane?

This is because of several laws in Oregon as well as Washington that require the blending of 10% ethanol with all gasoline with the exception of premium grades for small engines, classic cars, aviation uses, and other type specification needs.

With the blend requirements for 10% ethanol this changed the way gasoline was supplied in the Pacific Northwest.  This was caused by the octane ratings of gasoline.  Regular gasoline is a 87 octane rating.  E98 ethanol has a 107 octane rating. With this blend requirement, the gasoline changed to account for the high octane of ethanol.  So refiners and sellers of gasoline began to use what the industry calls a “sub-octane” gasoline at 85 octane because the guaranteed blend of 10% ethanol would boost the octane rating back up to 87 octane.

This is usually where people ask: “Why does this effect premium unleaded as well, and why the heck is clear premium so expensive?”

There are three reasons nonoxygenated gas costs more:

1- Ethanol is a lower cost fuel than gasoline, so less ethanol means a slight higher price of the fuel.

2- Fewer terminals carry a non-ethanol option for Premium unleaded reducing options for customers demanding the fuel and therefore higher prices.

3- CO2 regulations have raised the cost of fuels without biofuel blends in them as well.

REASON 1

The reason why is for several decades before the 10% ethanol blend mandate, the industry has been upgrading retail gas stations, cardlocks, and truckstops to blend regular gasoline and premium gasoline to the midgrade gasoline at the island. With a 10% ethanol blend mandate for regular unleaded and midgrade this required any and all retailers with blending pumps to use E10 (10% ethanol) premium to be legal with their midgrade product sold.  This also means that a non-ethanol premium pump requires a stand alone pump, line set up, and infrastructure need.

REASON 2

The blend mandates for gasoline caused all of the major branded gas station chains to move to a defacto 10% blend at the terminal level reducing availability of non-ethanol or “Clear” premium gasolines. With far fewer petroleum terminals, brokers, refiners, and other upstream wholesale dealers of gasoline exiting the non-ethanol gasoline market due to far lower volumes of it, the price went up.  This also means that there is far less volume of ethanol free premium unleaded being sold at the wholesale level. Reducing the volume of sales of a single fuel grade raises the cost risk in a volatile commodity market like gasoline.

REASON 3

Recently the entire western coastal states (Oregon, Washington, and California) passed laws around CO2 emissions and liquid fuels like gasoline.  This means that there is a cost for fossil fuels over biofuels which prices into the gallon of fuel.  The less biofuel the higher the CO2 cost for those buying it. Add to that the western states have Cap and Invest rules which put a total limit on volumes of fossil fuels.  These “Cap at the Rack” charges for fossil fuel have been as high as a full $1 for a gallon of fossil fuel in past years.  Cap at the Rack charges on fossil fuel gasoline is usually in the $.40 a gallon added cost range of the price you pay.

If Clear Premium Gas is so expensive why do people still use it?

It is the optimal fuel for small engines that have a habit of being stored for long periods of time without use.  Nonethanol fuel stores stable for a longer time and has a better cold start performance than an E10 gasoline fuel that has sat for over a year.  Add to that it also does not absorb water or impact plastic/rubber/elastomer seals in equipment.  That is why people prefer it.  Sure, the limited availability of terminals carrying this product makes it a specialty in Oregon and Washington.  But the added cost is worth it for sensitive low tolerance engines or for vehicles with long periods of storage between uses.

Choose Star Oilco as your fuel provider for your clear premium non-ethanol gasoline

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Star Oilco’s Commitment to Sustainability 150 150 Star Oilco

Star Oilco’s Commitment to Sustainability

Star Oilco’s Commitment to Sustainability

What is biodiesel? Is it the same as raw vegetable oil?

Biodiesel is a cleaner burning diesel fuel made from vegetable oil. Simply stated, a biodiesel molecule is a                                                              vegetable oil molecule with the glycerol removed. Chemically, biodiesel is defined as a mono-alkyl ester of                                                           vegetable oil.

Biodiesel is NOT the same as raw vegetable oil or straight vegetable oil (SVO). Diesel engines actually can                                                             operate on straight vegetable oil (SVO) as a fuel. In fact, Rudolf Diesel’s first compression ignition (Diesel)                                                            engine introduced in 1895 used peanut oil as its fuel. Modern diesel equipment, however, requires some                                                          modification to burn straight vegetable oil, and it is yet unclear the effects of straight vegetable oil on diesel                                                         engine performance and longevity.

Will biodiesel void my engine warranty?

According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Original Engine Manufactures (OEM) provide a material and workmanship warranty on their products. Such warranties do not cover damage caused by external conditions, such as fuel. Thus, if an engine using biodiesel experiences a failure unrelated to the biodiesel use, it MUST be covered by the OEM’s warranty. Federal law prohibits the voiding of a warranty just because biodiesel was used – it has to be the cause of the failure. If an engine experiences a failure caused by biodiesel (or any other external condition, such as bad diesel fuel), it will not be covered by the OEM’s warranty.”

Star Oilco distributes only commercially produced biodiesel that meets ASTM D6751-03 specification – a demanding fuel testing regimen that guarantees the fuel will perform properly in your engine.

Biodiesel is considered an additive in blends less than 6% (B5). Petroleum diesel with 5% biodiesel added still meets ASTM specifications for #2 petroleum diesel fuel. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and numerous states and federal fleets, including all branches of the U.S. Military, have performed more than 40 million miles of road testing on B20. The results of which have only been positive.

Fleets such as Yellowstone National Park and the City of Berkeley (CA) Solid Waste Management Division have had great success running diesel vehicles on pur biodiesel (B100).

Does biodiesel cost more than petroleum diesel?

Yes. The current retail price for on road B99 is $3.29 per gallon. Our customers pay a premium for biodiesel to support domestic energy sources and because of environmental concerns. Many biodiesel users experience a lower maintenance cost when they use biodiesel.

Can I use Oregon produced biodiesel?

Yes! In fact, the biodiesel you purchase through Star Oilco is produced right here in Oregon! Sequential Biofuels opened their first plant in Salem, OR in July 2005. This plant will produce 1 million gallons of biodiesel annually from waste vegetable oil. Oil sources include the Salem Kettle Chips plant. Country singer Willie Nelson is an investor in the effort.

Does biodiesel provide similar miles per gallon, torque, and horsepower?

In terms of energy contained in the fuel, a gallon of biodiesel contains slightly less energy than a gallon of petroleum diesel. For example, B20 tends to reduce fuel economy by approximately 1%. B20 users rarely report changes in torque or power. With B100, torque, power and fuel economy can be reduced by approximately 8%. However, the increased lubricity of biodiesel may help to counteract this energy difference. Some drivers report better performance with biodiesel, but most do not notice any difference.

Can I switch back and forth between diesel and biodiesel?

Yes! Biodiesel is the ultimate flexible fuel, so you can switch back and forth between biodiesel and petroleum diesel whenever necessary. Also, you can blend biodiesel with petroleum diesel in any percentage.

Is biodiesel safe to handle?

Yes! Biodiesel is ten times less toxic than table salt and biodegrades faster than sugar. The EPA has tested biodiesel’s health effects extensively and has classified it as a non-toxic substance that poses absolutely no threat to human health. Biodiesel is such a clean fuel that it is used to remediate petroleum spills in water.

Can I use biodiesel in an oil furnace (to heat my home)?

Yes! Biodiesel can be used in any diesel application. Oil #2 is the primary heating oil sold in the U.S. It is essentially the same as the diesel sold at gas stations, but contains much more of the pollutant sulfur. Sulfur contributes to acid rain formation, as well as the creation of nitrous oxides and particulate matter, both of which have serious air quality and human health impacts.

Biodiesel is just as warm as regular heating oil, but will help keep both the furnace and the air cleaner. It reduces the oily smell of the liquid fuel and makes the exhaust coming from the chimney smell better – a little like French fries. Pure biodiesel is biodegradable, and it is far less toxic than diesel. With a higher flash point, it is also less of a fire hazard. Biodiesel reduces emissions of cancer-causing compounds by up to 50%, and emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and hydrocarbons by approximately 20%.

Do I have to modify my furnace to use biodiesel?

No. B20 requires no modification to your heating system. However, biodiesel is a solvent, and will actually clean heating oil tanks and all fuel-wetted parts of a furnace. Because of this, users may experience clogging of the furnace fuel filter early on. Fuel filters are cheap and easy to replace, and the problem will end once the system is cleaned out.

If your heating oil tank is outside and/or underground,Star Oilco will only deliver B20 home heating oil. If your heating oil tank is located inside and above ground, Star Oilco will deliver B20 or B99.

Can biodiesel replace petroleum diesel?

For most of the 20th century, petroleum diesel has been consumed as though it would last forever. Experts disagree about how much petroleum is left and how long it will last. They do agree, however, that less new oil will be found and that prices will increase. Because biodiesel is “home-grown”, it provides energy security. Biodiesel can be produced on a yearly cycle, instead of a 10-million-year-cycle. While we can not displace all petroleum with renewable fuels, it is one important piece of reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

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Weekly Fuel Market Report – May 24th-30th, 2026 1024 683 Star Oilco

Weekly Fuel Market Report – May 24th-30th, 2026
fuel-market-report-star-oilco
Line chart of 1-month average prices: orange crude oil per barrel, green Washington gas price, red Oregon price, blue USA average, with right axis gas $/gal and left axis $/barrel; dates late Apr–Jun 1, 2026.

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 5/30/26

Wholesale LowWholesale Avg
E10$3.61$3.77
B5$4.19$4.30
B20$4.14$4.25
R99$3.69$3.82

Average Retail Prices 5/30/26

NationalOregonWashington
E10$4.32$5.23$5.71
B5$5.45$6.05$6.65

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 price table with time-point averages (Current, Yesterday, Week Ago, Month Ago, Year Ago) for Regular, Mid, Premium, and Diesel bikes/fuels.

Fuel Market News

Fuel prices dropped this past week as tensions and conflict in Iran remained stagnant. The stagnation did not last as Iran announced negotiations did not continue, and they will return to a full blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Upon this announcement, the US reinitiated its ground striking campaign in Iran with multiple strikes on Saturday & Sunday. The US reportedly struck military bases, radars, and drone sites in Tehran. The re-engagement of the conflict between Iran & The US has continued to choke the marine traffic throughout the Straight of Hormuz. Last week, only 36 ships passed through the waterway compared to 130/day before the conflict started.

Crude oil prices are skyrocketing on the heels of news over the weekend of the re-engaged military conflict in Iran. Fuel prices are expected to take a steep climb throughout this week as the conflict continues with no end in sight. The Trump Admin has proposed waiving the federal gas/diesel tax until September 2026. An act that would require approval by Congress. This proposal has signaled to many that the conflict in Iran will not be over anytime soon. This week, we will likely see crude oil prices back over $100/barrel.

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 $110

Higher Oil Prices Cost US Consumers $45 Billion

Crude oil is hovering just above $95/barrel, at a current price of  $95.45/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 $95.45/barrel compared to $98.19/barrel last week and $75 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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