<a target="_blank" href="http://www.glbiofuels.com/">Greenlight Biofuels</a> has broken ground on a new biodiesel plant in Princess Anne, Md., a small town just south of Salisbury. The move follows Greenlight's purchase of a controlling interest in Baltimore Biodiesel LLC, the project's original developer.
 
 In 1917, Arthur Perdue, a railroad worker in Salisbury, started a small business which became Perdue Farms, one of the nation's leading poultry producers. Ninety years later, in what might be described as a proposed symbiotic relationship, Greenlight Biofuels plans to use rendered animal fat as a feedstock to make biodiesel.
 
 "This project is the first step in a broader strategy for Greenlight Biofuels," said Greenlight President Allen Cunningham. Citing the country's need to expand interest in energy independence and environmental progress, he said the Princess Anne location will be a multi-feedstock plant to take advantage of not only the abundant source of animal material, but possible farm byproducts. 
 
 The company chose to build the plant on the Delmarva Peninsula, which is composed mostly of Delaware and Maryland's eastern shore. The area was once home to some of the most productive vegetable farms in 19th century America, and much of the land is still allocated for farming. 
 
 "We're building a 4 MMgy plant right now, but we have the ability to expand," said Greenlight Biofuels Vice President Erik Lytikainen. The plant will be capable of expanding to a total output of 8 MMgy, but no immediate plans to expand are scheduled.
 
 Like many rural communities, attracting good-paying jobs has been a challenge, but Greenlight Biofuels-like Perdue almost a century ago-anticipates an opportunity to revitalize the peninsula's struggling economy. By creating new employment prospects, the company hopes the high-unemployment area will begin to recover. 
 

 Greenlight also has a strategic partnership with Salisbury-based Cato Oil, which will do at-the-rack injection blending of the biodiesel in their terminal. In addition to the ample co-locational strengths, Lytikainen cited the cooperation of local partners and community leaders as advantages to the project. "This is an important day for Greenlight and Princess Anne," Lytikainen said.
 
 The Princess Anne facility is expected to be completed by August 2007. 
 
 Craig Johnson is a Biodiesel Magazine staff writer. Reach him at <a href=mailto:"cjohnson@bbibiofuels.com">cjohnson@bbibiofuels.com</a> or (701) 746-8385.
 
 Posted: 10:35 a.m. CDT Monday, March 19, 2007

Greenlight Biofuels breaks ground on Maryland plant

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Greenlight Biofuels breaks ground on Maryland plant