Biodiesel plant receives $3.4m grant

Biofuel manufacturer Viridis Fuels will receive a $3.4 million (€3.15 million) grant from the California Energy Commission (CEC) to build and operate a biodiesel production plant in Oakland.

The funding is part of more than $83.7 million in grants and loans that the CEC has approved for 46 renewable projects, ranging from a plant that converts forest waste to electricity to a manufacturing line for all-electric public buses.

The Viridis Fuels facility will produce up to 20 million gallons a year of biodiesel from fats, oils and grease.

Other grants awarded by the commission include:
• Almost $21 million for nine projects that convert organic, municipal waste and/or landfill waste into electricity
• Around $9 million to encourage the manufacturing of alternative fuel vehicles and vehicle components
• Approximately $3.4 million for R&D activities to increase operating efficiency and value of advanced ignition systems and fuelling infrastructure for natural gas vehicles.
• $5 million for the installation of a commercial-scale gasification-to-electricity facility.

 

SOURCE: California Energy Commission