NEXT Renewable Fuels selects site for biofuels facility

US biofuels producer NEXT Renewable Fuels announced that it will lease a 94-acre site from the Port of Columbia County for its Advanced Green Diesel production facility.

The site is located next to 25 acres already owned by NEXT, providing a total of 119 acres on which the company will develop its green diesel facility. According to NEXT, the biorefinery will have a capacity of 37,500 barrels per day.

Commenting on the news, NEXT president Lou Soumas said: “By selecting this parcel of port property, NEXT is confirming its commitment to Port Westward and Columbia County. We will be working closely with the Port and other stakeholders to successfully complete the rezoning of these 94 acres while we move forward with the development and permitting of our other property at the Port.

Port of Columbia County executive director Doug Hayes added: “We are encouraged in this latest step to bring a renewable, environmentally friendly energy product to the Port District. This commodity is the logical way forward in weaning ourselves off greenhouse-producing fossil fuels while maintaining the level of energy output we are all accustomed to.”

The production facility will create more than 200 jobs, generate over $12 million (€10.6 million) in local property tax revenues, and contribute $5.5 million in Port fees.