By Melissa Mussman
Agri News staff writer
ALGONA, Iowa -- Iowa's largest biodiesel production plant is open for business in Algona.
East Fork Biodiesel is expected to produce 60 million gallons
annually. With it going on line, Iowa's biodiesel capacity will be more
than 250 million gallons annually.
Renewable Energy Group Inc. and East Fork Biodiesel LLC held a
ribbon cutting ceremony Friday at the plant in Algona. The plant is
owned by East Fork Biodiesel, a company made up of 1,500 Iowa-based
investors. It employs 36 full-time workers, making biodiesel from
soybean oil and other refined oils.
"I am very excited to see this about to be up and running," said
Sen. Jack Kibbie, who represents the district where the plant is
located. "Iowa's economy is what it is because of renewable fuels and
this production plant is a path in the right direction."
Kibbie said the plant and others like it are the long-term answer to the agricultural economy.
"We have farmers and plants such as this producing a quality
product, and we will be selling it to our fellow Iowans," said Kibbie,
D-Emmetsburg.
"This is a great day for the state of Iowa and Kossuth County," said
Rep. Dolores Mertz, D-Ottosen. "I was born and raised here, and it is
wonderful to see the commitment that Renewable Energy Group has put
into getting this plant done and up and running."
Nile Ramsbottom, REG president, said the plant will be a good neighbor in the Algona community.
"We recover and recycle all of the methanol and water that we use to
produce the biodiesel, so there is no waste," said Ramsbottom. "The
noise level is also very low.
"For every unit of energy we use to produce biodiesel, we are creating 3.2 units of energy," said Ramsbottom.
REG marketed 78 million gallons, or 27 percent of all biodiesel sold nationally last year.
In addition to the Algona plant, REG operates plants in Ralston,
Newton, Wall Lake, Washington and Farley in addition to Albert Lea,
Minn. REG also has 60 million gallon-per-year plants under construction
in Emporia, Kan.; New Orleans, and Alberta, Canada.
