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March 12, 2004
GOVERNOR PAWLENTY TO PARTICIPATE IN GROUNDBREAKING FOR MnSP’s BIODIESEL PLANT
(North Mankato, Minn.) – The Minnesota Soybean Processors (MnSP) will break ground on its biodiesel production plant in Brewster, MN on Friday, March 19, 2004. Soybean producers, renewable fuels advocates and Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty along with MN Commissioner of Agriculture Gene Hugoson will be participating.
“This is what we have been waiting for,” says MSGA President Ron Jacobsen. “I commend the Minnesota Soybean Processors for their initiative in giving the biodiesel industry the jumpstart it needs in Minnesota. We are now another very important step closer to implementation of the 2 percent biodiesel mandate set for June 30, 2005.”
The Minnesota 2 percent Biodiesel Mandate became law two years ago on March 15, 2002. It requires that all of the diesel fuel sold in the state contain at least a 2 percent blend of biodiesel. A key component in Minnesota’s biodiesel legislation was a requirement that the Commissioner of Agriculture certify that a plant in Minnesota has an annual capacity of 8 million gallons of biodiesel.
“Biodiesel is a clean fuel that significantly reduces almost all regulated pollutants, including carbon monoxide and particulate matter, and the compounds in diesel exhaust that have the potential to cause cancer and lung disease,” said Jacobsen. “Beyond the human health benefit, biodiesel improves the environment by reducing noxious emissions and also provides economic development opportunities in greater Minnesota.”
The ground breaking begins at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 19, 2004 at the MnSP Brewster plant approximately 11 miles north of Worthington on Highway 60.
The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association is a non-profit, farmer-controlled membership organization established in 1962. Its goal is to assure profitable soybean farming by monitoring government policies and supporting research and market development activities.
For more information contact:
| Sherry Lowe Director of Communications Minnesota Soybean 888-896-9678 |
Rodney Christianson CEO MnSP 507-842-0064 |