Portland City Council voted July 12, 2006 to approve a citywide renewable fuels standard (RFS). The standard requires a minimum 5% blend of biodiesel for all vehicle diesel fuel sold in the city limits. Gasoline is required to contain at least 10% ethanol. The standard became effective July 1, 2007. 

With this effort, the City is helping create demand for thousands of gallons of renewable transportation fuels, in order to spur market development of large-scale Oregon based biofuel production facilities to meet that demand.

This growing renewable fuels market will generate a need for oilseed crops like canola and mustard seed, that can be grown as rotational crops by Oregon farmers. With efforts like this, the City continues to implement innovative, result-oriented strategies that meet goals for job growth, greenhouse gas emission reduction and local environmental health.

Biofuels offer promising benefits for Portland and Oregon as whole, including local and regional economic development opportunities, improved air quality, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and decreased dependence on volatile oil supplies.