Willie Nelson Launches Biodiesel Truck Stop

And Nelson is no fair-weather friend of Biodiesel. He's been an ardent supporter for years and is a critical part of this project's success. Nelson made the announcement at a Spinx Co. filling station in Greer, S.C., where a B20 blend of "BioWillie biodiesel" is on offer. Willie Nelson Biodiesel is the supplier of "BioWillie," the singer's unique brand of B20.

"Biodiesel is the future," said Nelson, founder of Willie Nelson Biodiesel. "This is a great day for America. All of the major automotive and truck manufacturers are struggling to find new ways to meet fuel emissions standards and biodiesel is the most practical and readily available
alternative. We have it here at home. We have the necessary product; the farmers can grow it."

Nelson learned about biodiesel after his wife purchased a diesel Mercedes. He and Peter Bell, of biodiesel supplier Distribution Drive, and three other partners formed the company in December 2004.

"The first truck stop on the Eastern Seaboard to offer B20 represents a milestone for national biodiesel development, and for the introduction of biodiesel to the over the road trucking market," said Joe Jobe, chief executive officer of the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). "Willie
Nelson's advocacy of biodiesel has had a dramatic impact in raising awareness of this important fuel."

BioWillie fuel is already available at truck stops throughout Texas and Spinx Co. representatives say future plans include truck stops carrying the B20 along the east coast from Miami up to Rochester.

Nelson does not supply the only star power behind biodiesel. Actor Dennis Weaver, South Carolina soybean grower Woody Green and local dignitaries also participated in the kick-off event.

"We are thinking about the future, no longer stuck in the past," said Weaver. "The simple truth is we cannot grow oil. Here today we are changing the way we relate to the earth."

Biodiesel is available at more than 450 retail pumps and by more than 1,400 petroleum distributors in the U.S. More than 500 government and commercial fleets, like NASA, the U.S. Military and L.L.Bean, use biodiesel.