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Illinois Soybean Association partners with Chicago Area Clean Cities to promote benefits of biodiesel

As part of today's celebration of National Biodiesel Day, the Illinois Soybean Association's B20 Club is proud to announce its diamond-level sponsorship of the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition. Through its support of the coalition, the B20 Club is helping promote the use of biodiesel for its environmental, economic and sustainable benefits.

The B20 Club is a checkoff-funded program jointly sponsored by ISA and the American Lung Association in Illinois that recognizes Illinois-based fleets running on biodiesel blends of 20 percent.

"By promoting biodiesel's benefits through CACC, we can play a greater role in reducing our state's carbon footprint and supporting local economies," says Gary Berg, ISA director from St. Elmo, Ill. "Furthermore, increased biodiesel consumption supports Illinois farmers by creating more demand for soybean oil, which ultimately builds a more sustainable future for Illinois."

Soybean oil, a feedstock used in nearly 50 percent of biodiesel production, helps reduce our dependence on imported petroleum. B20 Club members also choose biodiesel for its fuel savings and emission reduction. The club's annual reduction in CO2 emissions is the equivalent of planting 10,638 trees. More information about the club is available at www.B20Club.org.

"We are grateful for the support of the B20 Club and Illinois Soybean Association. Together, we can create increased awareness about biodiesel's ease of use and environmental benefits," says John Walton, vice chairman of Chicago Area Clean Cities. "Last year, our coalition's 150 members had the impact of removing 53,000 passenger cars from the road. This partnership is likely to increase this positive impact."

The Illinois Soybean Association represents more than 43,000 soybean farmers in Illinois through the state soybean checkoff and membership efforts. The checkoff funds market development, soybean production and profitability research, promotion, issues management and analysis, communications and education. Membership and advocacy efforts support Illinois soybean farmer interests in local areas, Springfield and Washington, D.C. ISA programs are designed to ensure Illinois soy is the highest quality, most dependable, sustainable and competitive in the global marketplace. For more information, visit www.ilsoy.org.

Chicago Area Clean Cities is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit coalition focused on promoting cleaner energy for transportation and automotive fleets in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. It is one of more than 90 coalitions across the country that are affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities program, which brings together stakeholders to increase the use of alternative fuel and advanced-vehicle technologies, reduce idling, and improve fuel economy and air quality. It concentrates its efforts on educating businesses and municipalities in the six-county Chicago area, including Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. To become involved, or learn more about the coalition visit www.ChicagoCleanCities.org.

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