[Biodiesel News] Biodiesel company proposes plant site

Biodiesel company proposes plant site

Today's Sunbeam - Salem,NJ,USA

... A biodiesel company sought township committee support here recently for its proposal to build a biodiesel plant in the township. Garden State Biodiesel Inc. ...

 

MANNINGTON TWP. -- A biodiesel company sought township committee support here recently for its proposal to build a biodiesel plant in the township.

 

Garden State Biodiesel Inc. has proposed to build a plant on Mannington Mills' property.

 

John Cunningham, president of Garden State Biodiesel, said he was not looking for committee approval, but was seeking their support in the project during a recent presentation.

 

Biodiesel is a clean burning alternative fuel produced by renewable resources, mainly soybeans. It does not contain petroleum, but can be blended with petroleum to create a biodiesel blend.

 

The Mannington Planning Board must take a vote on the proposed plan and then make a recommendation to the township committee.

 

Betsy Amoroso, public relations for Mannington Mills, said the flooring company has been in talks with Garden State Biodiesel and they are focusing on land that is currently owned by the company, but an exact location has not yet been determined.

 

Cunningham proposed to create a 30 million gallon biodiesel processing plant that would bring 50 employees in its first years.

 

After three years the plant, which would sit on 45 to 55 acres, has potential to grow to a 60 million gallon plant and 120 employees, he said.

 

Cunningham said the access to the Salem Port and the local rail service would make the plant successful.

 

"We'd bring feedstock in and biodiesel out," he said.

 

Cunningham said the company would generate its own electricity for the plant and no fumes or smell would come from the plant.

 

"It's less toxic than table salt," he said.

 

No hazardous material is involved with biodiesel. If the biodiesel product came in contact with soil it would be 80 percent biodegraded within 28 days, Cunningham said.

 

Biodiesel can be used for home heating as well as motor vehicle fuel.

 

If the plant was built, Cunningham said, it would be the largest biodiesel plant on the East Coast and the only plant in New Jersey.

 

Biodiesel supports the agricultural business and economic development at the same time. And the plant would bring a large ratable to the township, Cunningham said.

 

Cunningham said he has received much support for the project at the county and state levels.

 

Mayor Donald Asay said the project sounds positive, but the planning board must review the plan first.

 

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Posted by Vince to Biodiesel News at 9/18/2006 10:23:00 AM