B20 Club: Models of Success
Millions of individuals and fleets across the United States use biodiesel and biodiesel blends for efficient and economical diesel vehicle performance. Look to the members of the B20 Club for examples of biodiesel success in Illinois. A partnership between the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program and the American Lung Association©, the B20 Club recognizes a select group of Illinois-based organizations with strong commitments to run fleets on biodiesel blends of 20 percent or greater. Since 2014, B20 Club members have consumed more than 110.9 million gallons of B20 and higher biodiesel blends, contributing to cleaner air and more sustainable operations throughout Illinois.
For more information about becoming a B20 Club member, please contact Bailey Arnold at (217) 241-9011 or Bailey.Arnold@Lung.org.
B20 Club Members
These diverse Illinois-based organizations rely on B20 biodiesel and higher biodiesel blends to fuel their fleets.
Mokena, IL 60448
Chicago, IL 60632
Bridgeview, IL 60455
Chicago, IL 60632
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
Michael Webster, Manager of Fleet Services
Wheaton, IL 60189-5000
Pete Probst, President, Indigenous Energy
Chicago, IL 60611
Peoria, IL 61603
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Elmhurst, IL 60126
Moline, IL 61265
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Carol Stream, IL 60188
Oak Park, IL 60302
“One value of the City of Warrenville is to preserve and promote a clean, healthy, sustainable environment, and natural open spaces. The city explores a variety of ways to do this, which has included ways to improve fleet performance while lowering emissions. In 2014, a fleet vehicle was retrofitted from unleaded gasoline to compressed natural gas (CNG). In 2018, the City received an American Lung Association grant to install diesel particulate filters (DPFs), an emission control technology, on three trucks in the Public Works Fleet, which removes between 80 to 90% of diesel emissions on these vehicles. In the same year, the City also began using B20 fuel.”
Warrenville, IL 60555
Libertyville, IL 60048
Decatur, IL 62526
Mound City, IL 62963
Sauget, IL 62201
Lacon, IL 61540
Hennepin, IL 61327
Havana, IL 62644
Ottawa, IL 61350
Ottawa, IL 61350
Peru, IL 61354
Morris, IL 60450
Mokena, IL 60448
Lemont, IL 60439
Joliet, IL 60436
Henry, IL 61537
Joliet, IL 60436
Calumet Park, IL 60827
Alsip, IL 60803
Chicago, IL 60608
Chicago, IL 60616
Chicago, IL 60642
Chicago, IL 60617
Naperville, IL 60540
Chicago, IL 606010
Wilmette, IL 60091
Construction
Environmental
Fuel Suppliers
Mass Transit
Marine
Meet the Rest of the B20 Club
B20 Club Associate Members represent the production and marketing sectors of the biodiesel industry. These organizations are BQ-9000 certified, serve Illinois-based customers and are valuable resources for fleet owners and managers interested in fueling with B20.
Growmark FS is an agricultural supply company, offering sales of seed, crop protection materials, plant nutrients and more. They have incorporated biodiesel into their fleet vehicles, which helps support Illinois soybean growers.
Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is a leading North American advanced biofuels producer and developer of renewable chemicals. For more than a decade, REG has been a reliable supplier of advanced biofuels that meet or exceed ASTM quality specifications. REG currently operates five facilities in Illinois.
With over 50 years of experience, Incobrasa Industries is proud to be a leader in the production of top-quality oilseed products. With the addition of biodiesel in 2007 and BQ-9000 certification in 2009, Incobrasa continues to grow and provide a strong market for the local farming community. The company attributes its longevity in the marketplace and continued success to extensive experience, innovation and a commitment to excellence.
Supported by a dedicated rail car fleet and tank assets in Chicago, LA, Bakersfield, Tampa, Cincinnati & New Orleans, Targray Biofuels is one of the fastest growing suppliers of biodiesel in North America. Working closely with fuel retailers, distributors, blenders, terminal operators & truck stops, the company develops innovative, value-driven solutions that intelligently address the growing demand for biofuels in America.
Warner Petroleum Corporation provides marine fueling services in the Great Lakes region via terminal positions in Chicago and Detroit. Warner Petroleum Corporation runs its tugboats on biodiesel and utilizes a fuel flat to provide B20 blends to marine customers and tank trucks. Exploring biodiesel since its infancy, Warner Petroleum Corporation has been excited to see biodiesel demand grow in the Midwest, especially since there is so much produced in the Great Lakes region.
Affiliate Members of the B20 Club include not-for-profits, government agencies and other entities that promote and recognize biodiesel as a high-quality alternative fuel source.
Founders
The Illinois Soybean Association (ISA) represents more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The ISA checkoff program promotes biodiesel use through education and outreach to fuel marketers, fleet owners and other audiences, including support of B20 Club activities.
The American Lung Association© is the oldest voluntary public health association in the United States, having fought for healthy lungs and clean air for more than a century. Through their research, education, and advocacy activities, they are helping to reduce the burden of indoor and outdoor air pollutants upon lung health.
Supporting Organizations, Companies & Fleets
B20 Club Backers are Illinois-based fleets who have experienced B20 biodiesel benefits and continue to support use of biodiesel blends in their fleet vehicles. These fleets are an important part of the biodiesel community in Illinois.
The Automotive Technology program at Lewis and Clark Community College has received accreditation by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), a non-profit, independent organization that evaluates and accredits entry-level technician training programs against standards developed by the automotive industry. In line with the ever-changing industry, the Automotive Technology continues to educate students on the latest vehicle technologies and fuels, including biodiesel.
The Ecology Action Center is a not-for-profit environmental agency with a mission to inspire and assist residents of McLean County, Illinois in creating, strengthening and preserving a healthy environment. The EAC acts as a central resource for environmental education, information, outreach, and technical assistance in McLean County.
Illinois Alliance for Clean Transportation (formerly Chicago Area Clean Cities) is a nonprofit coalition of stakeholders from government, private business, academia, scientific research, and energy and environmental services working to promote environmentally friendly vehicles and cleaner, healthier air throughout Illinois. IL-ACT is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy’s nationwide Clean Cities program.
In 1967, Ralph Luke (1931-2007) founded Luke Oil in Hobart, Indiana, as a supplier of home heating fuel. By 1980, Luke had transitioned into a fuel supplier for gas stations, and by 1990, Luke Oil was one of the largest fuel suppliers in the Midwest. Today, Luke is a third-generation family-owned company run by Thomas Collins, Sr., which distributes more than 300 million gallons of fuel annually through its network of retail stations, dealers, fuel distributors, and national, governmental, and commercial customers.
MEG CORP is a consulting company with a fuel quality testing laboratory to assess fuel quality and diagnose problems. They provide technical support to petroleum marketers and end users by troubleshooting and solving filter plugging and fuel related issues by operating the Regional Diesel Helpline. Their staff conducts over 75 workshops annually on the topics of diesel, biodiesel, tank management and best practices for trouble-free operation. To date, MEG Corp has teamed up with eight soybean organizations to educate fuel distributors, marketers and end users about biodiesel.
Optimus Technologies is a clean energy technology company and the creator of the revolutionary Vector System, an EPA-compliant, biodiesel fuel system for medium and heavy-duty diesel trucks. This proprietary technology enables vehicles to operate on 100% biodiesel, resulting in drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions (80%+) while at the same time reducing fuel costs. The Vector System easily integrates into existing operations to facilitate a seamless transition to low-carbon fuels.
The village of Mundelein, Illinois, located in central Lake County, is recognized as premier for entrepreneurs and is celebrated for its inclusive community. The village utilizes biodiesel in all its vehicle fleets, encompassing plow trucks, construction equipment, ambulances, and fire trucks.
Clean Fuels serves as the industry’s central coordinating entity for technical, environmental and quality assurance programs and will be the strongest voice for its advocacy, communications and market development.
Established in 2010 as a division of the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), the Association for the Work Truck Industry, the Green Truck Association (GTA) is a voice for companies moving forward to create vocational trucks and products with a focus on sustainability. In recognition of the growing interest and demand for fuel-saving products within the work truck industry, GTA fosters the progression of green work trucks by: 1) showcasing member companies’ truck and technology developments; 2) serving as the resource for legislative, regulatory, and funding initiatives relevant to clean vehicles; 3) supplying relevant market data and technical resources; 4) sharing timely news on green truck products and initiatives; 5) educating its members on green commercial vehicle design technology evaluation and selection using a systematic approach such as the Hierarchy of Application.
Founded in 2005, Indigenous Energy was created when entrepreneurs Pete Probst and Fred Barker won a business plan competition while students at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Today, under the direction of Probst, Indigenous Energy is focused on biodiesel and alternative fuels consulting.
Marc-IV Consulting has been a leading force in the development and execution of technical, regulatory, economic and policy aspects needed to get the biodiesel industry to the 1 billion gallon-per-year mark achieved in 2012. Marc-IV’s unique set of economic and policy skills are combined with hands-on engineering, business development and strategic thinking expertise that can be a valuable resource to any company, trade association, state or federal agency or others wishing to develop industrial products from agriculture. And after 20 years, they’ve only scratched the surface!
Established in 1964, NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry, represents more than 2,000 companies that manufacture, distribute, install, sell and repair commercial trucks, truck bodies, truck equipment, trailers, and accessories. Buyers of work trucks and the major commercial truck chassis manufacturers also belong to NTEA. The Association provides in-depth technical information, education, member programs and services, and produces Work Truck Week and Green Truck Summit. The Association maintains its administrative headquarters in suburban Detroit and government relations offices in Washington, DC, and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The St. Louis Clean Cities Coalition helps promote sustainability by decreasing petroleum use throughout the city. They work with vehicle fleets, fuel providers and community leaders to fulfill their mission.
B20 Club Contacts
Bailey Arnold
Director, Clean Air Initiatives
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Lead, B20 Club of Illinois
Bailey Arnold is an environmental science and sustainability professional with the American Lung Association©. Bailey is focused on the adoption of alternative fuels and technologies through the ALA’s award-winning Clean Air Choice© program. As B20 Club Lead for the Illinois Soybean Association checkoff program, he is responsible for all B20 Club support and outreach activities.
(217) 241-9011 | Bailey.Arnold@Lung.org
Tara Brooks
Specialist, Clean Air Initiatives
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Associate Lead, B20 Club of Illinois
Tara is a public health and environmental science professional with the American Lung Association©. Tara primarily works on projects related to the implementation of alternative fuels and technologies. As the Associate Lead for the B20 Club of Illinois, Ms. Brooks is responsible for providing support services to B20 Club members, backers, affiliates, and associates at the direction of the Lead.