Renewable Energy Group Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its first diesel fueling station July 17 in Seneca, Illinois.

Construction on the around-the-clock, fully-automated station began earlier this year. Diesel customers from trucking fleets to local diesel vehicle owners will be able to fill up with biodiesel-blended fuel to conveniently reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.

“This diesel fueling station is another example of how REG is moving fuel forward by expanding our capabilities,” said Cynthia J. Warner, REG president and CEO. “It gives us another avenue of getting our high-quality, clean fuel to new and existing customers.”

REG Seneca, a 60 MMgy biorefinery located adjacent to the fueling station, will provide the low-carbon biodiesel used in the diesel blends between B11 and above.

“More than 17,000 trucks go through REG Seneca each year,” said Gary Haer, vice president of sales and marketing. “We are thrilled that those who help support our industry and the local community can fuel their vehicles right here at this station.” 

REG Seneca has been producing biodiesel for more than a decade and currently operates with 53 employees in addition to the hundreds of other jobs indirectly supported in agriculture, transportation and energy sectors. The Seneca plant also adds approximately $75 million into the Illinois economy through the purchasing of feedstocks. Last year, biodiesel produced at REG Seneca reduced approximately 556,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide compared to emissions from petroleum diesel.