The project has the capacity to produce approximately 20 MMgy of biodiesel, according to Blue Sky Marketing Director Lindsay Hassett. It began testing its first batch of soy oil-based biodiesel in mid-February. “We’re up and running,” she said.
While capable of producing up to 20 MMgy of biodiesel, the plant is expected to initially produce smaller amounts of fuel. The plant is multi-feedstock capable. Hassett said a load of waste vegetable oil was expected soon.
The facility is located in Oakland near a main rail line and a major interstate, according to the company’s Web site. The project’s development began in February 2006, Hassett said. The company was incorporated in June 2006 by brothers Patrick and Ralph MacIntyre.
The plant was designed in-house, according to Hassett. Blue Sky will also market its own biodiesel through a variety of off-take partnerships. “There is a lot of demand in the bay area,” Hassett said.
Blue Sky is now the largest biodiesel production capacity in California. The state’s second-largest plant is an 8 MMgy facility operated by Imperial Western Products in Coachella, Calif. Imperial is the state’s lone BQ-9000 accredited producer. BQ-9000 is the biodiesel industry’s voluntary fuel quality assurance program.
Hassett said Blue Sky is also an active member in the Oakland Apollo Alliance, a coalition within the labor, environmental, business, urban and faith communities supporting jobs and energy independence. Nationally, the Apollo Alliance is calling for a $300 billion, public-private program to free the United States from dependence on foreign oil in 10 years, combating global warming, stimulating the economy and creating jobs.
Article Continues After Advertisement
Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Biodiesel Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.
Posted: 11:23 a.m. CST Friday, March 9, 2007