February 04, 2008
Georgia Biodiesel Refinery Delays Operation
PLAINS, Ga. --- Alterra Bioenergy has delayed plans for a biodiesel refinery because of high soybean oil prices, the Macon Telegraph reported.
Alterra Bioenergy is exploring the use of non-food canola oils or chicken fat instead of soybeans to produce the biofuel.
In recent weeks, the price of soybean oil has climbed from 31 cents to 50 cents. As a result, the biodiesel fuel would cost more than $5 a gallon. That's not competitive with what's on the market now.
Alterra representatives said the Macon-based company's plant in Gordon is producing only half its capacity after opening five months ago. The company originally planned to have the Plains plant operational by November.