March 19, 2004

Ground Breaking Ceremony for the 30 Million Gallon Biodiesel Refinery

The ground breaking ceremony for the states first biodiesel refinery was held. We were pleased to host Governor Pawlenty, Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson and MSGA President Ron Jacobson as our guest speakers. Also in attendance was the Biodiesel task force with Chairperson Kristin Weeks.

Governor Tim Pawlenty talked about the renewable fuels agenda in Minnesota. "We are very excited that Minnesota Soybean Processors stepped forward," said Pawlenty.

Pawlenty announced that through the efforts of farmers and legislators working together, Minnesota was the first in the nation to have an ethanol mandate in place. Now, the state will be the first in the nation to have a bio-diesel mandate.

The Minnesota 2 percent Biodiesel Mandate became law two years ego 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 Jacobson."Beyond the human health benefit, biodiesel improves the environment by reducing noxious emissions and also provides economic development opportunities in greater Minnesota."

"This is what we have been waiting for," says MSGA President Ron Jacobson. "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"

Ground Breaking Pictures - Please click on the picture to get a closer look.
Bruce Hill, Ron Jacobson, Gene Hugoson, Governor Pawlenty, Bob Kirchner, Ron Obermoller performing the ground breaking	Governor Pawlenty with the Biodiesel task force, Chairperson Kristin Weeks (center)	Guests and Board of Managers
Keynote Speakers	Minnesota Ag Commissioner Gene Hugoson	Ron Jacobson, President Minnesota Soybean Growers Assoc.
Minnesota Governor Pawlenty	Minnesota Governor Pawlenty	President of the Board - Bob Kirchner Speaking

For more information contact:

Sherry Lowe Director of Communications Minnesota Soybean 888-896-9678

Rodney Christensen CEO MnSP 507-842-0064