[Biodiesel News] 5:31 pm - Biodiesel plant in New Plymouth ready to produce ...

5:31 pm — Biodiesel plant in New Plymouth ready to produce ...

IdahoStatesman.com - ID,USA

Gov. Jim Risch returned to a New Plymouth biodiesel plant on a better day than his last visit. The Blue Sky plant, gutted by a fire ...

 

Gov. Jim Risch returned to a New Plymouth biodiesel plant on a better day than his last visit. The Blue Sky plant, gutted by a fire that killed one man on July 7, is now poised to produce between 200,000 to 400,000 gallons every month, with the potential to produce up to 24 million gallons a year, officials say.

 

It’s the first plant of its kind in Idaho.

 

“I am excited to see this plant in operation again,” Risch said. “The perseverance that has been shown after such a terrible tragedy is inspiring.”

 

The fire killed 25-year-old Blaise Black, the son of one of its owners. The Risches stopped at the site as the last of the fire was being suppressed. They had been visiting communities around the area, and had been monitoring the fire throughout the day.

 

Days later, Risch signed Idaho up with a nationwide push to make 25 percent of the nation’s energy sources renewable by the year 2025.

 

At the Blue Sky plant this week, he named September “Renewable Fuels Awareness Month.”

 

“Renewable fuels are our future, here in Idaho as well as the rest of the world,” he said. “We must ensure that we coordinate state efforts with private industry, such as Blue Sky, to explore our renewable resource options for a future of energy independence.”

 

Risch also presented New Plymouth Mayor Scott Moscript with a $50,000 state grant to increase water flows for fire protection in the business park where Blue Sky is located.

 

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Posted by Vince to Biodiesel News at 9/18/2006 10:41:00 AM