Scotland County Leads the Way in Biodiesel Infrastructure with New Tank Installation

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Scotland County Leads the Way in Biodiesel Infrastructure with New Tank Installation
By Echo Menges
MEMPHIS, Mo. — Scotland County is paving the way for rural renewable energy use with the installation of a new 20,000-gallon biodiesel tank, replacing an aging system that had long posed logistical and environmental challenges. Local officials say the upgrade is helping save money, improve efficiency, and — most importantly — support Missouri farmers.
The new system, made possible through the Missouri Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Program, was installed at the county Road and Bridge shed earlier this year. It allows the county to purchase and store larger quantities of biodiesel and comes equipped with a state-of-the-art dispenser and digital tracking tools.
The project began with a conversation in late 2023 between Chris Mallett, District 3 board member for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, and Presiding Commissioner David Wiggins.
“Kind of how it got started here in Scotland County, Commissioner Wiggins and I talked one day back in December, somewhere around that time frame, I think it was, about possibly getting it here at the county shed,” Mallett said. “We spoke a little bit over the phone, and then I got ahold of my fellows down there on the board. We talked about it, and it just kind of took off and flourished from there.”
Matt Amick, director of market development for the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council, emphasized that the move isn’t just about fuel — it’s about investing in Missouri’s agricultural economy.
“Biodiesel is a renewable fuel that’s produced in the state of Missouri. It is made from soybean oil and other agricultural feedstocks,” Amick said. “What’s great about biodiesel is it can be blended into petroleum diesel with no new equipment, no modifications. Missouri has a really good story when it comes to biodiesel because the initial research… was done at the University of Missouri, funded by the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and the soybean checkoff.”
The upgraded tank replaced a 10,000-gallon diesel tank that had been in use for more than three decades.
“We had to let the fuel set over the weekend before we could fuel vehicles,” said Wiggins. “Let the sediment come down on it.”
The new capacity gives the county greater purchasing flexibility and resilience in times of fuel shortages.
“We buy roughly seven transport loads a year,” said Commissioner Brent Rockhold. “Obviously, in summertime, we go through it faster because there’s more running. So that’s going to cut that probably in half.”
It also opens the door to competitive fuel bidding.
“More companies will be able to bid on it now since we can handle more of it at a time,” Rockhold said. “And we don’t have to get so low before refueling.”
The county has been running on biodiesel since 2023, using a B20 blend — 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel — during the warmer months, and switching to B1 in winter.
“We got better mileage out of the trucks and used less fuel,” Commissioner Duane Ebeling said. “If it costs a bit more but you use less, it’s a win.”
The system’s new digital dispenser also improves fuel tracking and management.
“Each individual employee will have his own card, and they can put up to four different units of equipment on it,” Rockhold said. “That information is gathered at the card [reader] and it goes straight to the computer in the office… it’s going to make the recording a lot more precise.”
The project was funded 75% through a state grant program administered by the Missouri Department of Agriculture and the Missouri Agricultural and Small Business Development Authority. That grant, however, was not renewed by the Missouri Legislature for the upcoming year.
“We’re hopeful that in the future it will be available, because we do see a lot of value in it,” Amick said. “It has been utilized quite a bit.”
Scotland County’s leadership in adopting biodiesel has made it a model across the state.
“We go to the Missouri Association of Counties and we talk about Scotland County a lot,” Amick said. “Anytime I’m talking about a county, I say, ‘Hey, talk to the county commissioner and see if you have issues,’ because we can say it’s a good product — but until you see people actually utilizing it, that’s where it becomes much more effective.”