Biodiesel Plant Opens in Berlin

Biodiesel Plant Opens in Berlin

 

BERLIN- The first biodiesel plant in Maryland opened Monday in Berlin. Officials are already calling it a success.

 

James Warren, who owns Maryland Biodiesel on Route 50, has been working on this plant for two years. 

 

"The facility does 500,000 gallons a year right now and I believe that's already been spoken for, so we're looking to expand probably in September," Warren said.

 

Warren said he hopes his plant will be able to pump out 1 million gallons total after the upgrade.

 

Warren says the gold-colored liquid burns clean and is better for the environment compared to regular diesel fuel.  The prices are about the same.

 

Customers say biodiesel has helped cut down on engine problems. At the grand opening, several politicians and bus contractors said they have made the switch to biodiesel in their vehicles.

 

Maryland Biodiesel supplies Worcester County, most state highway vehicles and area school bus contractors with fuel.

 

Warren said his company will use local soybeans to make the fuel. He has made a deal with Perdue Farms to use the poultry company's soybean oil.

 

Worcester County Commissioner Virgil Shockley said biodiesel will help cut down on America's dependence on foreign oil.

 

"It's a renewable resource," Shockley said. "We can grow it and we can grow it every year, so it's something we can produce here."