BD CONSTRUCTION BREAKS GROUND ON INNOVATIVE LOW-WATER-USE BIODIESEL FACILITY IN ARAPAHOE, NE
Released On: June 19, 2008

BD Construction has broken ground on an innovative biofuels facility designed to use relatively small amounts of water in the production of some 10 million gallons of biodiesel a year.

Republican Valley BioFuels LLC of Arapahoe, NE, is a project of Renewable Fuels Technology, LLC (RFTI). When completed, the plant will process high-oil, low-water-use crops including sunflower, soybean and canola into raw vegetable oil and then further process that oil into biodiesel. Although the plant will begin operations with production of 5 million gallons per year, when at full capacity it will utilize oilseed production from roughly 100,000 acres in the region and employ approximately 14 people in plant operations.

“Biofuels is an emerging part of our nation’s energy solution,” BD Construction President Mark Benjamin said. “What’s unique about RFTI’s approach is that they utilize both agricultural and production technology that makes the most efficient use of a limited resource here in Nebraska – water.”

Another key component of the facility is a regional concept for renewable fuel production. The feedstock for the operation of the plant should easily be grown within 75 miles of the plant and the intended market for the biodiesel and feed co-products will be within the same region.

Benjamin said the site of the new facility will be at Arapahoe’s Ag Valley Cooperative, which has been working closely with RFTI in development of Republican Valley BioFuels. The project will include remodeling existing facilities at the location, as well as adding new structures for the plant.

“The past few years have shown us that water availability can be uncertain,” Benjamin said. “Innovative companie like RFTI are thinking outside the box to find ways for agriculture and the communities in the Republican River Valley to survive and prosper in face of the new water realities.”

Republican Valley BioFuels is one of several biofuel projects in which BD has been involved, Benjamin said. Completion of the project is expected in early 2009.

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