California's largest biodiesel plant opens

The Associated Press
11:26 a.m. July 30, 2009

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — California's largest biodiesel plant is ready for business.

State Sen. Dean Florez joined executives Wednesday for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Crimson Renewable Energy's new Kern County plant off Interstate 5.

The plant is designed to produce 30 million gallons of biodiesel per year, nearly doubling the state's current production capacity of 34 million gallons. The company says it will use a variety of feed stocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats and virgin vegetable oils to produce the low- and ultra-low carbon fuels.

California air quality officials say biodiesel produced from used cooking oils can cut carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Florez says he wants all California school buses to eventually run on biodiesel.
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Information from: The Bakersfield Californian, http://www.bakersfield.com

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