Imperium Renewables Commemorates Construction of Nation's Largest Biodiesel Production Facility

HOQUIAM, Wash.--With the echo of pile drivers and the buzz of biodiesel-powered heavy machinery in the background, elected officials from across Washington state joined executives from Imperium Renewables today at the Port of Grays Harbor to celebrate the pouring of the foundation for the nation’s largest biodiesel plant.

“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. “A movement away from our dependence on foreign oil toward reliance on renewable, home grown biofuels. A movement away from heat trapping petroleum fuels to cooler, clean burning biodiesel. A movement away from old energy economy despair to new energy economy promise. I am thrilled to see this great facility begin to take shape.”

“This cutting-edge facility will not only help lead our country to a cleaner, more independent energy future, but will also deliver good family-wage jobs to Grays Harbor County,” said Cantwell. “By leveraging the newest renewable fuel technologies, we are boosting our state economy and hopefully helping drive down fuel prices by providing some much needed competition at the gas pump. A new biodiesel facility in Grays Harbor is great news for consumers, the county, and our entire state as we work to cement Washington’s position as a leader in new alternative energy sources.”

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel made from oils derived from farm crops, and can be used in any conventional diesel engine. It can be used in pure form (100 percent biodiesel) or in a “blended” form, in which it replaces a percentage of regular diesel.

Economic impact of facility will be felt across the state

The biodiesel industry is unique in that it positively impacts the entire value chain, from raw materials to production, distribution and ultimately consumption.

• Increased demand for Eastern Washington agricultural products (raw materials): Imperium Grays Harbor will use oil from canola grown in Washington state. The company hopes to become the single largest purchaser of canola oil in the state once the plant is up and running.
• New local jobs (production): The project is expected to create up to 350 jobs during the construction phase and then 50 long term jobs upon completion.
• Increased revenue to local firms (distribution): Imperium sells its fuels to a number of local distributors and retailers, displacing fuel dollars that would have gone to overseas companies. About $3 billion is spent annually on diesel fuel in the state – replacing even 10 percent of that with alternate fuel would put hundreds of millions back into state-owned companies. As it stands, the new facility will have the capacity to replace up to 10 percent of the state’s diesel supply.
• Lower costs for individuals and business users (consumption): It is expected that biodiesel produced at the plant will retail at or significantly below the cost of petroleum-based diesel fuel. The price, combined with the fact that biodiesel is more fuel efficient than its petroleum counterpart, means consumers will save money.

Environmental impact of biodiesel will be felt around the globe

In addition to being produced from 100 percent renewable resources, the positive impact of biodiesel on the environment is well documented.

• The smog forming potential of biodiesel hydrocarbons is 50 percent less than that measured for petroleum diesel
• The exhaust emissions of sulfur oxides and sulfates (major components of acid rain) are essentially eliminated compared to petroleum diesel
• There is a substantial reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter, while only a slight (if at all) increase in nitrogen oxide

About the facility

The new plant, called Imperium Grays Harbor, will produce up to 100 million gallons of biodiesel fuel mainly from soybean, canola oil and other extracts. The 12.5 acre/540,000 square foot facility is capable of storing up to 24 million gallons of biodiesel and feedstocks (the oil that is used to produce biodiesel) at any one time, spread out across eight main tanks and two reserves.

The new facility will incorporate proprietary advanced technology, techniques and processes that have been developed and improved at its current facility, Seattle Biodiesel. That facility, with a capacity of five million gallons per year is currently one of the West Coast’s largest biodiesel facilities.

Imperium chose the Port of Grays Harbor for its strategic connections to rail, road and water transportation for both inbound raw materials as well as outbound biodiesel fuel. The plant is expected to begin producing biodiesel in mid-2007.

About Imperium Renewables

Imperium Renewables is a leader in the renewable energy industry. It was the first biodiesel focused company in the United States to be funded by Venture Capital; it is currently the largest producer of biodiesel on the West Coast. When its new facility, Imperium Grays Harbor begins production in mid 2007, it will operate the largest biodiesel production facility in the country. The company has also created a number of proprietary new production innovations and technology. Imperium Renewables has received venture funding from the leading funds in the U.S., Nth Power and Technology Partners