Michigan State University, Detroit Wayne County Port Authority join Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition
The Michigan Advanced Biofuels Coalition (MiABC) announced Oct. 1 two new stakeholders that support the use of sustainable fuels to improve the state’s air quality and reduce greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions.
The additions are Michigan State University in East Lansing and the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority.
“These new MiABC stakeholders share a commitment to advanced biofuels as an immediate solution to reducing carbon emissions in Michigan,” said Hanna Campbell, demand specialist for the Michigan Soybean Committee, a founding member of MiABC.
Founded in 2022 by MSC and the Michigan Soybean Association, MiABC works to increase understanding and adoption of biodiesel and other advanced biofuels produced from renewable resources such as soybean oil.
MSU is one of the two largest universities in Michigan and the first to become an MIABC stakeholder.
The campus in East Lansing, however, is not new to advanced biofuels.
Since 2013, MSU has relied on biodiesel to fuel its diesel-powered vehicles and equipment.
This year, the university’s transportation department moved up from B5 to a B20 biodiesel blend.
The higher biodiesel blend currently helps reduce emissions from university equipment and 70 university vehicles that use diesel fuel.
B20 is a readily available solution to help the university meet its goal of reducing GHG emissions 50 percent from the 2010 baseline, eliminating 292,934 metric tons of CO2.
Although MSU already invests in electric, hybrid and propane vehicles, these alternatives aren’t always practical for fueling the diesel buses, trucks and generators on campus.
“Because of the needs of our fleet, electric vehicles can’t be the sole solution to greenhouse-gas reductions,” said Brooke Pugh, a manager of transportation services at MSU. “Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that supports sustainable environmental practices, and it burns cleaner for better air quality.”
In Detroit, biodiesel fits with DWCPA’s mission to promote marine shipping and transportation while protecting local waterways.
A Port of Detroit Decarbonization Project is currently underway to help marine terminals decarbonize port operations with a goal of net-zero carbon by 2040.
Biodiesel is among the immediately actionable strategies the project is studying.
“By far the first and best strategy out of the gate is biodiesel,” said Mark Schrupp, the executive director of DWCPA. “Most of the carbon generated in the port area comes from burning diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a great replacement.”
Schrupp said that community voices and concerns are at the forefront of DWCPA’s carbon-reduction plans.
“Moving to biofuels not only helps us meet climate-change goals but also helps improve air quality for port workers and the 25,000 people who live within four miles of our port,” Schrupp said.
Michigan State University and the Detroit Wayne County Port Authority join transportation providers, fuel suppliers, nonprofits, private companies and community-focused groups that are stakeholders in MiABC.
By joining the coalition, these organizations signal their commitment to improving Michigan communities through heightened energy security, cleaner air and a healthier environment.
Funding for MiABC comes from Michigan farmers through the soybean-checkoff program.
For more information about biodiesel and MiABC, visit miadvancedbiofuels.com.
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