INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – February 27, 2008 – Indiana’s position as a leader in the U.S. biodiesel industry was recently strengthened as Cummins Inc. was recognized as the winner of the 2008 Biodiesel Innovation Award presented by the National Biodiesel Board.

“Cummins’ stamp of approval on quality biodiesel-blended fuels adds leadership and credibility to the biodiesel industry,” said CountryMark CEO Charlie Smith.

Smith and other Indiana biodiesel industry leaders recently honored the Columbus, Indiana-based company for receiving the prestigious national award. The award was based on Cummins’ pioneering and extensive multi-year research on engine compatibility with biodiesel blends, which led Cummins to be one of the first companies to support the use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel) blends in their diesel engines. 

The team approach to a successful Indiana biodiesel industry was further demonstrated by the Indiana biodiesel consumers in attendance at the event. Bob Callegari of Whole Foods, Munster; Mike Clark, transportation director for Monroe Community School Corporation; and farmer Don Lamb, Lebanon, were recognized as consumers who not only use biodiesel-blended fuels, but have been leaders in helping other Hoosiers and Hoosier companies utilize biodiesel-blended fuels.

“Customers like these inspired CountryMark, as their fuel supplier, to provide them with a renewable fuel that would meet their business and fleet expectations,” said Smith. CountryMark is a leading distributor of biodiesel-blended fuels in the state of Indiana. The Indiana-based company owns an oil refinery in Mt. Vernon, and four of its five fuel terminals include state-of-the-art biodiesel blending systems.
Governor Mitch Daniels commended CountryMark on its role in making biodiesel-blended fuels readily available throughout the state.

“Leadership in biodiesel is both exciting and important to our prospects as a state,” said Gov. Mitch Daniels. “It is no surprise to find Cummins in the forefront of that movement. We thank them, we celebrate them, and we thank our lucky stars that Cummins put its roots down here in Indiana.”

Under Daniels’ leadership, Indiana has made rapid progress in becoming a national leader in the production of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel). Daniels praised the diesel engine manufacturing company as an example of the type of leadership and innovation that will move the state’s growing biofuels industry forward.

“The environment is so important,” noted Daniels. “Now all around Indiana people are beginning to realize that green technology is also turning into green money. Biofuels are bringing new income dollars into rural communities and small towns which have not seen any new investment or growth for a long time. Things like this [Cummins’ leadership] make Indiana a multi-dimensional winner.”

Cummins Chairman and CEO Tim Solso added that he believes biodiesel can be a significant part of the solution to America’s dependence on foreign oil and climate change issues. He listed reduced greenhouse gas emissions and lower exhaust emissions as primary benefits. However, there is still much work to be done, according to Solso.

“There’s more to increasing the use of biodiesel than just the right engine technology,” asserted Solso. “The success of biodiesel begins with high-quality fuel, and that quality has improved significantly in recent years. Increasingly our customers want to be able to power their vehicles using biodiesel. But more needs to be done to insure that high-quality fuel is broadly available.”

Biodiesel produces a multitude of benefits for Americans, including creating a cleaner environment.

“Cleaner burning fuel is especially important for children riding diesel-powered school buses because biodiesel reduces the particulate matter from the bus’s diesel exhaust system. The Central Indiana Clean Cities Alliance commends Cummins on their leadership in advancing the acceptance of biodiesel-blended fuels,” said Kellie Walsh, CICCA Executive Director.