Biodiesel made from palm oil might not be as ‘green’ as hoped

WASHINGTON – America’s drive for energy independence and clean air could threaten orangutans, Sumatran tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses and the world’s largest butterflies. All could be hurt as the rainforests of Southeast Asia are cleared to produce palm oil for use in biodiesel.

It’s the downside of the crash effort to rein in global warming.


And the owners of what will be the largest biodiesel plant in the nation – at a deepwater port on Washington state’s coast – are well aware of the environmental consequences of logging and burning some of the most biologically diverse forests in the world to provide the prime ingredient for a much-in-demand clean fuel.

“We recognize there are serious deforestation issues,” said John Plaza, the founder of Imperium Renewables, which is building the plant in the Port of Grays Harbor. “It’s not OK to clear rainforest to put palm down. But to demonize an entire industry doesn’t do anyone any good. We need to solve these issues.”

Already, the Europeans are considering banning the importation of palm oil for use in biodiesel, and a Republican leader in the Legislature wants to close a loophole in state law and make biofuel production using imported palm oil ineligible for an existing state tax incentive.

The Olympian