Clinton gives OK to biodiesel plant

Published: July 26, 2006

Clinton (AP) – A biodiesel company received local approval to move ahead with
a manufacturing plant in Rock County.

The Clinton Planning Commission approved
a site plan Tuesday night allowing Midwest Biofuel LLC to start building the plant.

The
Macon, Ga.-based company bought nearly 3 acres of land earlier this month. Midwest
Biofuel plans to make biodiesel from pure soybean oil.

“We chose Clinton
as the site because it’s in the heart of soybean country,” company President
Mirza Ahmed said.

Clinton’s proximity to Chicago, Madison and Milwaukee
contributed to the site selection.

The company hopes to start construction
in the next four weeks and start production in three months, Ahmed said. The company
will move its offices to Clinton once it finishes construction.

“Our
goal is to start production with a 5 million-gallon facility with the capacity
to increase to 40 million gallons,” he said.

Wisconsin has one biodiesel
plant in Manitowoc and several in the planning stages. According to the National
Biodiesel Board, the nation produced about 75 million gallons of biodiesel last
year and is expected to make at least 150 million gallons this year.