VW Scandal Proves Boon to Biodiesel Seller

by Eric Blaisdell (Rutland Herald) Black Bear Biodiesel recently ended its first season selling environmentally friendly fuel on a high note, thanks to the transgressions of a German automaker, and it could open back up earlier and stay open later in the coming years thanks to a new permit.

Black Bear’s owner Jim Malloy said Tuesday that the company stopped selling biodiesel on a daily basis and shut down the pumps on Halloween. People looking to purchase the fuel can still do so, but they’ll need to get in touch with the company to make an appointment. He said they are also offering biodiesel for heating fuel this winter.

“With the Volkswagen scandal, a lot of people are disheartened and are using biodiesel to fulfill their original intent of having a cleaner-burning car,” he said, adding that using biodiesel reduces a vehicle’s emissions.

Malloy said the company also was given a new permit last month by the town’s Development Review Board, which allows it to sell blended fuel. Biodiesel blended with petroleum allows the fuel to flow easier in colder temperatures, which means the company can open up the pumps earlier in the spring and keep them open later into the fall, he said. Malloy said the company doesn’t plan to use blended biodiesel yet, and the pumps will reopen in May. READ MORE