MARION, Ohio --- The Ohio Department of Transportation has selected the Central Ohio Farmers Cooperative to haul B20, a 20-percent soy-based fuel, for the agency as it boosts its use of alternative fuel. The contract represents at least $40 million worth of fuel, Jim Bowman, who manages the co-op's Marion Oil division, told the Marion Star newspaper. The state contract is effective through June 2009. Bowman forecasted that the co-op will haul more biodiesel than conventional fuel for the first time in the coming year. POET has begun construction of a new ethanol plant 1.5 miles west of Marion. Ohio state law requires that state vehicles capable of using biodiesel to use 1 million gallons of blended biodiesel this year and an additional 100,000 gallons in each subsequent year.