07/13/07 Bioenergy projects get more loans

Washington Ag July 13, 2007 Washington state recently issued another 6.4 million dollars in Energy Freedom Loans that will be going to four bioenergy projects in the state. They include three oilseed crushing and biodiesel facilities and an anaerobic digester at a dairy. Those projects as well as a biodiesel facility at the Port of Warden, have received 13 million dollars in Energy Freedom Loans in the past year. Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Valoria Loveland, whose department negotiated the contracts, sums up the status of the various projects. Loveland: "Port of Sunnyside is ready to crush and growing product. The anaerobic digester is up and being tested. The Port of Warden is moving right along and Odessa, the work is going. Probably the one that has the furthest distance to go to get up and operating is the Spokane project." The state says the loans were awarded to projects with demonstrated long-term financial viability, job creation and benefits to the economy and environment. I'm Bob Hoff.