Wear that St. Patrick’s Day green another day today and celebrate the green fuel that is biodiesel.

National Biodiesel Day is celebrated on March 18 because it is the birthday of Rudolf Diesel, inventor of the Diesel engine, which he originally ran using peanut oil.

Biodiesel today is made from a diverse mix of feedstocks including recycled cooking oil, soybean oil, and animal fats – and it can be used in diesel engines without any modifications. It is the first and only EPA-designated Advanced Biofuel in commercial-scale production across the country and the first to reach 1 billion gallons of annual production, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

So happy 161st birthday, Rudolf – and Happy Biodiesel Day to all!