[Biodiesel News] New Plymouth Biodiesel Plant Is Now Operational

New Plymouth Biodiesel Plant Is Now Operational

Fox 12 Boise - Nampa,ID,USA

... Sky. The Blue Sky biodiesel plant was scheduled to open two months ago. ... supply.". Blue Sky Biodiesel made its first sale last Friday. ...

 

New Plymouth, Idaho-- The bio-diesel plant in New Plymouth is now operational, and this afternoon Governor Jim Risch took a tour of the facility. But, its been a long process getting to this point.

 

"We don't know why this things happen and I suppose it doesn't do us any good to ask why," said Doug Black, one of the owners of Blue Sky.

 

The Blue Sky biodiesel plant was scheduled to open two months ago. But, just as the plant was nearly finished, an explosion destroyed part of the facility.

 

One person was killed, Doug Black's nephew, 25 year old, Blaise Black.

 

"Blaze was a good worker. He was very exited about this plant," said Doug Black.

 

Employees of the company say anytime something like that happen it impacts the feeling of the those at the plant. So it was bittersweet, when Governor Risch today toured the facility and signed a proclamation naming September as renewable fuel's awareness month.

 

The Governor added that he was saddened by the accident on July 7th. "We the state of Idaho had our fingerprints, our equity in this," said Governor Risch.

 

The state has put 245-thousand dollars into the factory's infastructure. This afternoon, the Governor also presented a check for 50 thousand dollars to New Plymouth's Mayor.

 

Money that will pay for improvements to the city's water system, that Blue Sky Biodiesel relies on. Right now ten people are employed by Blue Sky and in the future that number could increase to 24.

 

The future for the company looks bright as well. All vehicles that burn diesel fuel will be able to burn Blue Sky's product.

 

But the owners of Blue Sky say, "Biodiesel isn't going to replace our petroleum diesel but it certainly has a role in stretching our domestic petroleum supply."

 

Blue Sky Biodiesel made its first sale last Friday. They say the plan to increase production in 2008.

 

The demand for biodiesel products is expected to grow due to its increasing availability at Stinker Stations, Baird Oil and other retailers.

 

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Posted by Vince to Biodiesel News at 9/18/2006 10:32:00 AM