Minnesota has upped its biodiesel requirement today from 2 percent to 5 percent, making the state the first in the nation to move to that high of blend of the green fuel.

The state is being recognized by the National Biodiesel Board for its efforts to keep valuable jobs in the U.S., decrease dependence on foreign oil and lessen environmental impacts:

“Increasing biodiesel in our diesel fuel allows us to take advantage of a renewable fuel made in Minnesota, which in addition to being environmentally responsible also adds to our state’s bottom line,” said Ed Hegland, a Minnesota soybean farmer and Chairman of the National Biodiesel Board. “I’m proud to live in a state that is leading energy innovations and taking part in valuable solutions like biodiesel.”

“This standard empowers the citizens of the state to support Minnesota’s economy and use less foreign oil,” said Joe Jobe, National Biodiesel Board CEO.

The NBB says the Minnesota was able to overcome some early concerns about its B2 requirement by making sure there was proper quality control.

Last winter, biodiesel was wrongly accused of causing some buses in Bloomington to not run. The NBB points out that biodiesel can perform well at 20 percent blends, even in the coldest of climates, so the new 5 percent requirement should not be an issue in the chilly Minnesota winters.

Minnesota joins Washington state, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, New Mexico and Massachusetts, which have also passed biodiesel requirements.