Pump-N-Munch: Your Twin Cities Source for Biodiesel
The Pump-N-Munch at 63rd and Lyndale is the first TC-area gas station to offer biodiesel fuel.
Never turn down a free cup of coffee. You might learn something. For example, did you know that oil and coffee are the world’s two most valuable commodities? And that the U.S. is the largest consumer of both? One brown-murky substance provides fuel for the body, and the other brown liquid provides fuel for the automobile. And so it isn’t an extraordinary pairing to find the two at a fueling station. But during a recent promotional event dubbed “Go Biodiesel Day” an alternative to the common blends were available at the Pump N’ Munch on 63rd and Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Biodiesel Blue, a biodiesel distribution company with offices in south Minneapolis, provides the Pump N’ Munch station with a localized version of diesel fuel made from soybeans. “They’re going through about 600 gallons per day,” said Emily Whebbe, a spokesperson for the distributor. “Our goal is to push it to 1,000 gallons per day.” Whebbe said the station was selling only about 200 gallons of premium gasoline per day, so when Biodiesel Blue approached them with their product, they accepted, becoming the first station in the metro area to offer the fuel.
If I happened to drive a car with a diesel engine, I’d be all over this. You always wager whether or not it’s worth it to drive across town because one station has cheaper gas. Usually it’s not worth it. This I would make a special trip for.
Apparently, they sell the pure biodiesel (B100) in the summer, but sell a bio/regular mix (B20) in the winter because it doesn’t stay liquid in the cold weather. Not quite as worth it at that point, but every little bit of reduced emissions helps. And it’s easier than scavenging at fast food joints for fry oil to make your own. For more info visit Sundays Energy and Biodiesel Blue.
Related posts:
It’s off topic, but my friend Jen and I die with laughter whenever we see the name “Pump-N-Munch.”
Seriously, it’s the most pornographic gas station name ever.
Not as pornographic as Kum & Go.
*snicker*
Erica! I was chatting with a landscaper last weekend and understandably he was bitching about the cost of gas. Said he’d really love to see one of those biodiesel fuels in MN. Because of your post, I was able to direct him to this station:)
He did look at me kind of sideways when I said “Pump-N-Munch” though…