ST. PAUL, Minn. Minnesota, the only state that requires the use of biodiesel fuel, is beefing up its mandate.

Currently, the state requires all diesel fuel sold in Minnesota to be a 2 percent biodiesel blend. Under legislation enacted this year that increases to 5 percent biodiesel in May.

In May 2012, the requirement goes to 10 percent, eventually reaching 20 percent biodiesel, commonly known as B20, after May 1, 2015.

The law also requires that biodiesel used in the blends meet ASTM (formerly America Society for Testing and Materials) standards for B100 biodiesel, and its producers must be certified by the National Biodiesel Board.

In later years, only B5 (5 percent biodiesel) will be required from November through March because of the propensity of biodiesel blends not to behave well in cold weather.

The law also allows the mandate to be suspended if the supply of biodiesel or its quality - is insufficient to meet state needs.

Minnesotas requirement does not apply to all fuel used in the state, only to the diesel sold there.

Mass. OKs biodiesel

BOSTON -- As part of a new law designed encourage the growth of a biofuels industry in the state, Massachusetts will require the use of biodiesel.

The legislation requires biofuel content in all diesel and home heating fuel sold in the state, plus it gives preferential tax treatment to non-corn-based alternatives to ethanol, and proposes a new fuel standard for the region that will encourage a range of emissions-reducing technologies for cars and trucks.

The Clean Energy Biofuels Act requires a minimum of 2 percent biodiesel in 2010, ramping up to 5 percent by 2013.

Va. 'green truck stop'

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- A truck stop has opened on U.S. 220 that conducts a "farm-to-fuel" operation, using canola seed to make biodiesel.

Red Birch Energy, in Henry County, Va., said it contracts with area farmers to grow canola on idle fields during winter.

The meal byproduct produced when canola seed is crushed -- to extract seed oil -- is used as a farm animal feed supplement. The oil extracted is refined and blended into biodiesel and sold at the companys pump, which is north of Martinsville.