California gets a whiff of BioWillie

updated 8:30 a.m. ET Feb. 9, 2006

SAN DIEGO - Willie Nelson introduced California to “BioWillie,” his brand of clean-burning fuel made from soybeans.

BioWillie went on sale Wednesday at an alternative fuel station in San Diego where the 72-year-old singer filled his tour bus from a pump emblazoned with a picture of himself strumming a guitar.

“It is the future,” Nelson said. “Through biodiesel, we can reduce dependency on foreign oil and adopt an energy source that’s clean renewable and helps family farmers find new uses for their products.”

Biodiesel is America’s fastest growing alternative fuel, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. U.S. sales of biodiesel tripled last year to 75 million gallons, but account for less than 1 percent of the diesel fuel sold nationwide, said Jenna Higgins, a spokeswoman for the National Biodiesel Board.

Three years ago, Nelson’s wife, Annie, bought a biodiesel-burning car in Hawaii, where the star has a home. The biodiesel that powered her car was made from grease collected from restaurants.

The singer then began filling his tour buses with biodiesel. Supplier Peter Bell persuaded Nelson to go into business and use his name and image to help the fuel gain wider acceptance.

The BioWillie brand, known as B20, is a blend of 80 percent petroleum diesel and 20 percent biodiesel and is made from soybean oil.

Besides California, it is sold in Texas, South Carolina and Georgia.

MORE FROM CELEBRITIES

Celebrities Section Front

Stephen Colbert's DNA to be shot into space Donny and Marie bring sincere to Sin City Police say Gary Coleman involved in accident Tommy Lee Jones sues makers of 'No Country' '40-Year-Old Virgin' actor charged again Hulk Hogan claims he’s worth $32 million David Spade fathers Playboy pinup’s baby Man denies killing Kutcher's former girlfriend Man gets prison for crime at Dunst’s hotel Access Hollywood section Celebrities Section Front   Add Celebrities headlines to your news reader: