It’s official: biodiesel plant will be built
A biodiesel producer has officially announced its intention to begin making biodiesel in Beatrice by the beginning of 2007.
Beatrice Biodiesel LLC announced in a press release from Gage County Economic Development its intent to construct a 50-million gallon biodiesel facility in the Beatrice Industrial Park. A news conference was planned for late Friday morning.
The announcement comes months after the plant first came up for discussion in meetings of the Beatrice City Council. In August, the council approved the annexation of land in the Gage County Industrial Park so that the project could make use of tax increment financing for infrastructure improvements to the site. In February, the council annexed additional lots in the industrial park to accommodate reported growth of the project.
“We have worked closely with the city of Beatrice and Gage County Economic Development to make this project a reality,” David R. Blythe, project manager, said. “Beatrice is a very good fit for our biodiesel facility. We are excited to be part of an industry that will have an economic impact on Beatrice and the state of Nebraska.”
Process and plant engineering is under way and facility construction is planned to start the second half of 2006 with commercial operations starting early in 2007. The facility will create 16 new jobs with total annual salaries estimated at $700,000.
Beatrice Biodiesel will utilize a “second” generation biodiesel process technology from Axens North America. The facility will use soybean oil to produce B100, a pure form of biodiesel, which reduces emissions of carbon monoxide, particulate matter, unburned hydrocarbons and sulfates.
Beatrice Biodiesel is a subsidiary of US Biofuels Inc. of St. Louis, Mo., and Australian Ethanol LTD of Perth, Western Australia.
“Biodiesel is an important investment in our nation’s energy future,” Paul Garnett, Gage County Economic Development chairman, said. “We have a golden opportunity with Beatrice Biodiesel to continue to build a strong foundation for alternative fuels in the United States.”