Largest U.S. biodiesel plant to open in Washington

HOQUIAM, Washington (Reuters) – A biodiesel fuel company backed by venture capital money on Friday broke ground on what will be the largest U.S. biodiesel plant and pledged to develop other facilities nationwide to meet the growing demand for the environmentally friendly fuel.

Imperium Renewables, the largest biodiesel producer on the U.S. West Coast, plans to open in mid-2007 a new refinery capable of producing 100 million gallons of biodiesel a year.

“We stand here today to celebrate not just the foundation of a physical plant, but the foundation of an entire movement,” said John Plaza, founder and president of Imperium Renewables at a ground-breaking ceremony in Grays Harbor County in the western part of Washington state.

Biodiesel — made from the fat or oil of a vegetable source such as soy beans — burns cleaner than traditional diesel, emitting less carbon monoxide and sulfates. It can be used in any conventional diesel engine either in a pure form or a “blend” mix of part biodiesel and part petroleum.

Reuters