08/17/07 Grays Harbor biodiesel plant goes on line

Washington Ag August 17, 2007 Grand opening ceremonies were held this week in Hoquiam, Washington for Imperium's Grays Harbor biodiesel plant. The 100-million gallon a year facility is said to be the largest biodiesel plant in the nation. To have sufficient feedstock for its biodiesel production Imperium will have to use imported palm oil or soybean oil from the Midwestern U.S. But U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell, who was at the grand opening, noted that some of the feedstock for this plant is canola from eastern Washington. Cantwell: "So this production will tie eastern and western Washington together to help solve the energy problems of our county." Senator Cantwell also mentioned work that still needs to be done in Washington D.C. Cantwell: "We want to make sure we that we pass a national biodiesel standard that these guys are meeting and are national leaders in. We also want to continue the tax credit of $1 per gallon for these fuels." According to the National Biodiesel Board, domestic biodiesel production increased from 25 million gallons in 2004 to more than 250 million gallons in 2006 and is expected to exceed 300 million gallons this year. I'm Bob Hoff.