Posted at: 10/19/2012 5:40 PM
Updated at: 10/19/2012 5:45 PM
By: Steph Crock
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Email to a FriendGroundbreaking at Biodiesel Plant
(ABC 6 News) -- You might call them the big three boiler plates in this election. The economy, jobs, and renewable energy. They are three issues that are hotly contested during each presidential debate.
Minnesota is doing pretty well in these categories, especially unemployment, where we're seeing our numbers dropping across the state and regionally.
Regionally, we've got some good news too. Friday was an exciting day out at the 'Renewable Energy Group' plant just outside of Glenville. A groundbreaking ceremony for their upgrade and new addition. A project that those with company and law makers are calling a win for everybody.
"No matter who we've talked to, the state or local level, they're just absolutely thrilled,” said Brad Albin, Vice President of Manufacturing at REC.
Area Representative Rich Murray can agree with that. “It’s just an exciting day,” said Rep. Murray. This was at the groundbreaking ceremony for the $20 million upgrade to the REG or Renewable Energy Group's facility.
"The plant had been shut down for about a year and we brought it back up, brought it last year,” said Albin. It's a biodiesel plant that turns feed stock, or things like natural oils and greases, into renewable fuel.
“That turns into fine biodiesel, but it just takes more processing to make a high quality biodiesel out of those,” said Albin. That's what this upgrade will do, but it'll also create something else. “It’s 22 fulltime, green collar, good paying jobs,” said Albin.
“We've got 20 some good paying jobs here that people are able to support their families with and now a $20 million commitment to construction here. It’s going to create construction jobs and just every bit of this is good news,” said Rep. Murray.
Creating jobs and keeping work here. “Not only creating jobs, but it’s creating green energy and so it’s going to help us eliminate or reduce further our dependence on foreign oil,” said Rep. Murray.
“Biodiesel is a renewable product that is made here in the United States, it’s good for communities, it’s good for the United States and it’s just a feel good product," said Albin.
The upgraded facility has the capacity to produce 30 million gallons of biodiesel each year. The project expected to be all done by June.
