Bill requiring increased use of biodiesel sparks dispute

By Cy Ryan

Monday, Feb. 14, 2011 | 2:23 p.m.

CARSON CITY – Truckers would be required to use 10 percent biodiesel in their fuel under a bill introduced in the Senate, which is already sparking a disagreement.

Paul Enos, representing the Nevada Transport Association, said such a requirement would nullify the warranty on all trucks.

Present law requires all diesel fuel sold in Nevada to contain 5 percent biodiesel. But Senate Bill 148 increases that to 10 percent if certain conditions are met.

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, said Monday the bill is aimed at helping Biodiesel of Las Vegas, a small producer of biodiesel fuel in Southern Nevada.

He said the requirement would hit all trucks and diesel fueled vehicles in the state.

Schneider says he doesn’t believe increasing the amount of biodiesel will void a truck's warranty. “But if it ruins the warranty, we won’t do it.”

Enos said this requirement would affect hundreds of thousands of trucks in Nevada and other diesel-powered vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz says anything above 5 percent would void the warrant on its vehicles, saying use of the 10 percent biodiesel could cause severe damage to the engine.

The 10 percent requirement would not become effective until one year after the governor issues a proclamation that the production of biodiesel in Nevada has reached 60 million gallons and has equaled or exceeded at rate of 5 million gallons per month for three consecutive months.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Revenue.