A site for a new biodiesel plant was blessed on Wednesday at the Shipman Industrial Park in Keaau.

Big Island Biodiesel LLC will become Hawaii’s newest and most advanced biodiesel production facility. Robert King, President of Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. spoke about the renewable fuel that burns cleaner than petroleum and can help reduce greenhouse gases.

The new biodiesel plant will have multiple feedstock capability, allowing it to process used oils, jatropha oil, sunflower oil, algae oil and even fish and animal fats.

250 acres of jatropha are already in the ground at the nearby Hawaii Pure Plant Oil farm.

The plant will have a capacity of over 8,000 gallons per day and more than 2.6 million gallons per year. The company hopes to finish construction in 16 months.

Video courtesy Big Island Biodiesel

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Submitted by Kelly King, Vice President and Director of Marketing and Communications

Pacific Biodiesel, Inc.January 26, 2010

The small community of Keaau will soon become big on biodiesel, a renewable fuel that burns cleaner than petroleum and can help reduce greenhouse gases. On February 3, Big Island Biodiesel LLC (BIB) will celebrate its phase I with a blessing at the site intended for Hawaii’s newest and most advanced biodiesel production facility. The project is the brainchild of Robert King, President of Pacific Biodiesel, Inc., which currently produces biodiesel on Maui and Oahu.

“We needed a way to build in the capacity that local farmers wanted to see before they invest in a new agricultural venture,” explained King. “This facility can earn its keep on used cooking oil and trap grease while we wait for biofuel crops to mature.”

In fact, a sizeable biofuel crop has sprouted up almost within shouting distance of the planned refinery. Hawaii Pure Plant Oil currently has over 250 acres of jatropha in the ground and is ready to crush its first crop of seeds next month. The new biodiesel plant’s multiple feedstock capability will allow it to process used oils, jatropha oil, sunflower oil, algae oil and even fish and animal fats.

With a capacity of over 8,000 gallons per day and more than 2.6 million gallons per year, the Big Island Biodiesel facility will utilize recently developed zero-waste, super efficient processing technology and will play a significant role in helping Hawaii reach its energy independence and sustainability goals. Adhering to the model of community-based biodiesel production originally pioneered by Pacific Biodiesel, BIB even boasts ownership by members of the community.

Biodiesel is currently produced by Pacific Biodiesel on Maui and Oahu and is sold at retail stations on those islands as well as wholesale throughout the state. Pacific Biodiesel’s cleaner, safer, high-quality ASTM rated biodiesel is processed from vegetable and/or animal fats and oil and can be used in any unmodified diesel engine.

Community-based biodiesel production supports local agriculture, energy security and a cleaner environment.

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