Partnerships Help Build Demand for Biodiesel, Bioheat®

Checkoff opens its fourth Clean Cities communications reimbursement program

A lot of fact-based, positive information exists about soy biodiesel and Bioheat®, and a lot of potential users of these products can plan to see, hear and read more about each.

To reach even more people with information about the environmental benefits of the homegrown, renewable products and increase demand, the soybean checkoff will continue its partnership with U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Clean Cities for the fourth year.

Clean Cities chapters can apply to be reimbursed from the checkoff for pre-approved, specific activities that communicate the benefits of biodiesel and Bioheat. For example, in the past, Clean Cities chapters have received assistance to host biodiesel and soy-based product workshops for municipalities, hold media events around biodiesel discount days and provide literature on the environmental benefits of biodiesel.

“USB’s Clean Cities program multiplies our opportunity for outreach,” says Mike Beard, USB director and soybean farmer from Frankfort, Ind. “These Clean Cities chapters do a tremendous job of communicating the benefits of soy biodiesel and Bioheat to the public.”

The Clean Cities program serves as a government-industry partnership sponsored by DOE and has more than 90 local chapters across the United States. These chapters work in their local areas to reduce petroleum consumption. USB asks that Clean Cities applicants develop programs that communicate the benefits of soy biodiesel in suburban and urban areas to help improve availability and use of soy biodiesel.