Parts arriving for biodiesel plant

Components for a new oilseed processing and biodiesel plant began arriving this week.
(Courtesy photo)

The new plant will be located at Ag Valley Cooperative's Arapahoe location, at 901 Pine Street. RVBF will refurbish and update existing facilities at the location, plus add new structures for the development of this project.

"This is exciting progress for the project and for those involved," said John McCoy, President and Managing Partner with Renewable Fuel Technology LLC, the managing company of RVBF.

The components of the modular style biodiesel plant will be stored at the facility until the project is granted their DEQ Air Quality Construction Permit, which is being reviewed. Once the construction permit has been issued, BD Construction of Kearney, the project's general contractor, will begin major construction of the plant.

The plant will be in operation by the first quarter of 2008 and will create 20 jobs, officials said.

RVBF has partnered with Ag Valley Cooperative, the University of Nebraska Industrial Agricultural Products Center and area producers to conduct research in the Republican River Valley on high oil, low water crops.

This research was made possible through a Value Added Producer Grant received from the Nebraska Department of Rural Development.

Test plots of sunflower and canola will be analyzed on their sustainability and their economic feasibility. Once the research is completed, educational seminars will be held to answer any questions producers may have about growing these crops.