MEMPHIS, Mo. — Scotland County is setting an example for rural communities across Missouri by installing a brand-new 20,000-gallon biodiesel tank at the county’s Road & Bridge Barn. This upgrade replaces a decades-old system and brings major improvements in fuel efficiency, cost savings, and environmental impact — while supporting local farmers who produce the renewable fuel.
Installed earlier this year, the new tank was funded largely through the Missouri Biofuels Infrastructure Incentive Program. Equipped with a modern dispenser and digital tracking tools, it enables the county to store larger quantities of biodiesel and manage fuel usage with precision.
The project originated from a conversation in late 2023 between Chris Mallett of the Missouri Soybean Merchandising Council and Scotland County Presiding Commissioner David Wiggins. “We spoke a little bit over the phone and then got everyone on board,” said Mallett. “It just took off from there.”
Matt Amick, director of market development for the Soybean Merchandising Council, emphasized that the switch is about much more than fuel. “Biodiesel is a renewable fuel produced right here in Missouri, made from soybean oil and other agricultural feedstocks,” he said. “It blends with petroleum diesel easily — no equipment changes needed — and supports our state’s agricultural economy.”
The new system replaces a 10,000-gallon tank that had been in service for more than 30 years and often required letting fuel settle over a weekend to remove sediment before use. “The old system was a headache,” said Commissioner Wiggins.
Doubling the storage capacity brings practical benefits. “We buy about seven transport loads a year, but in the summer, we burn through it faster,” said Commissioner Brent Rockhold. “With the bigger tank, we’ll cut our refills roughly in half.”
The upgrade also opens up the bidding process to more fuel suppliers. “More companies can bid now since we can handle bigger deliveries,” Rockhold explained. “We don’t have to wait until our tanks run low before refueling.”
Since 2023, the county has been using a B20 biodiesel blend in warmer months (20% biodiesel, 80% petroleum diesel) and switches to B1 in colder months. Commissioner Duane Ebeling shared, “We got better mileage and used less fuel. Even if it costs a bit more, using less fuel makes it a win.”
The new digital dispenser adds another layer of efficiency. Each employee has a fuel card linked to multiple pieces of equipment, with usage tracked automatically and data sent directly to the office. “It’s going to make fuel records a lot more precise,” said Rockhold.
Though 75% of the project’s funding came from a state grant, that program was not renewed for the upcoming year, raising concerns about future support for similar upgrades. “We’re hopeful it will come back because it has been very valuable,” said Amick.
Scotland County’s pioneering role has caught attention statewide. “We talk about them a lot at the Missouri Association of Counties,” Amick noted. “They show other counties how biodiesel works in practice, not just in theory.”
With this forward-thinking project, Scotland County is proving that rural communities can lead the way in renewable energy — benefiting their local economy, environment, and public services.
