Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......
If you want on or off the DIESEL "KNOCK" LIST just FReepmail me........
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......
Posted on 12/19/2006 9:11:24 AM PST by Red Badger
A biodiesel plant capable of producing 30 million gallons of biodiesel a year is being proposed for a site in southeast Rochester, reflecting the boom in renewable fuels.
The newly formed company, called Midwest Biofuels, is looking to build the plant on 2.4 acres of land at 1830 3rd Ave. in southeast Rochester, the site of the former Fisher Auto Supply and a vacant lot.
While the site is only a block from a residential neighborhood, city officials have conducted a preliminary review and have come away convinced that "it looks like a good project," said Gary Neumann, Rochester Assistant City Administrator. Unlike ethanol plants, biodiesel plants do not emit odors, experts said.
Project backers hope to have biodiesel coming out of the spigot by late 2007. The proposed plant would create at least 10 to 15 new jobs and generate $90 million annually in sales, according to applications filed with the city of Rochester.
Biodiesel is a nonpetroleum-based fuel made from vegetable oils or animal fat mixed with alcohol and a catalyst. The resulting reaction converts the liquid into biodiesel, which can be mixed with regular diesel to produce a cleaner burning fuel.
The plant would require a $15 million investment in new equipment and capital improvements by the company, mainly because the equipment used to make biodiesel is so expensive.
John Jenson, a local businessman and one of the major architects behind the project, described himself as having a "real passion" for alternative fuels, adding, "I think we have to lessen our dependence" on foreign oil.
Jenson cautioned that a number of steps remain before the project becomes a reality.
"I don't have the property, the financing or the approval to do what I'm trying to do, and it's as simple as that," he said.
Rest In Peace, old friend, your work is finished.......
If you want on or off the DIESEL "KNOCK" LIST just FReepmail me........
This is a fairly HIGH VOLUME ping list on some days......
"Biodiesel",...isn't that another word for BS?
Rapid biodiesel industry growth likely to continue
The Minnesota biodiesel industry has grown quickly since the first state plant opened in late 2004, spurred by government mandates, tax incentives and demand for alternative fuels. The state now has five biodiesel plants. In 2005, 75 million gallons of biodiesel was produced in Minnesota, triple the amount that was made the year before, said Douglas Tiffany, research fellow in the Department of Applied Sciences at the University of Minnesota. The amount is expected to triple again this year, to 225 million gallons, he said. "It's growing rapidly, and it's relatively simple process, but it has to be done carefully," Tiffany said. With a production capacity of 30 million gallons a year, the Midwest Biofuels plant proposed for a site on 2.4 acres of land at 1830 Third Ave. S.E. in Rochester would be among the biggest in the state. In addition to the 30 million gallons of biodiesel produced, the proposed facility would consist of storage tanks for oils, alcohol, catalysts and finished biodiesel. About 20 trucks are expected to arrive at the site each day, either for the delivery of chemical ingredients or hauling out finished product. The biodiesel then would be transported to the Koch Refinery in Rosemount to be blended with other diesel fuel. The proposed biodiesel site in southeast Rochester is classified as industrial, but it is hemmed in on both sides by residential neighborhoods. Tiffany said making biodiesel is a chemical process, and methanol, a chemical used in the process, is flammable. But unlike the process for making ethanol, biodiesel plants don't use much water and don't have odor problems. "I'm unaware of these sorts of problems with biodiesel plants," he said. But Tiffany said the biodiesel plants he has seen haven't been near residential areas. Public response unknown John Jenson, a local businessman and one of the major architects behind the project, said the plant area would be completely enclosed, and he expressed confidence that the production process would be contained, safe and free of odors. But he acknowledged that the wild card is how the public might react to the proposed plant. "I know it doesn't make noise. I know it's a closed system. I know that there shouldn't be a problem, but I don't what other questions the neighbors will ask of me in public meeting," he said. Gary Neumann, Rochester Assistant City Administrator, said city officials have visited at least two biodiesel plants to learn more about their operations. A preliminary review of the proposed plant has involved various city departments. So far they have come away convinced that "it looks like a good project," he said. "It's not an ethanol plant, which does have an odor, and that was the main issue," he said. JOBZ site? City officials have begun the process of designating the proposed site for a biodiesel plant as a Job Opportunity Building Zone site, a decision that would entitle owner Midwest Biofuels to a package of tax breaks. JOBZ is a state program that offers tax breaks to businesses expanding in particular areas. The city must seek the approval of the Rochester School Board and Olmsted County Board to take existing JOBZ acreage and transfer it to another site. The school board began the process last week by approving a resolution transferring JOBZ acreage from three land parcels within the city to the proposed biodiesel site. The Olmsted County Board is set to take up the issue today, a city official said. Once the transfers have taken place, it will be up to the Rochester City Council to decide whether to authorize JOBZ incentives for Midwest Biofuels, a city official said. Neumann noted that the jobs would require a degree of technical expertise and therefore would not be low-paying. Jenson suggested the new plant also would have a ripple effect, creating the need for drivers, dispatchers and truck repairman. More Stories
>>>OH, ROCHESTER!
Rochester, MN - Great place for health care. Kept me from pushing up daisies earlier this year.
So, Rochester is good for Benny's?.........
"Rochester, MN - Great place for health care"
And a great place to WORK in health care.
what is amazing is that a story last week said the EU is now producing 2 billion gallons of biodiesel while we are still working on 200 million. if we get to 2 billion in 07 or 08 that will help with close to a months worth of imports.
Wonder how much of our trade deficit is in oil imports?...........
too much. I recall that recent numbers have bounced that in to the 20%+ area.
As a family farmer, I gotta tell you that I've done as well on cattle this past year as I ever have.
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