Biodiesel plant comes to New Haven

NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) -- A tank farm is going up along the New Haven Harbor as part of a project to build the largest biodiesel plant in New England.

"We are ahead of the curve in New England," said Senator Ed Meyer, (D) Branford.

The Greenleaf Biofuels building is the largest conversion plant in New England. It's able to take used cooking oil, vegetable oil, animal fats and transform them into 10  million gallons of biodiesel fuel a year.
    
It's a less expensive option for tractor trailers that deliver food and other products to markets, and it could mean lower prices for residents.  

"Just about everything your viewers are buying from a store has come across the tailgate of a diesel vehicle, so diesel trucks are delivering most of the consumer good we buy locally, so it is important to consider," said Gus Kellogg, the company's owner.

The building has a state of the art safety system that causes the air to be re-circulated. There is also a sprinkler system and a sprinkler foam system that will go right out to the tank farm.

The project is being completed in part thanks to state funds.

It's expected to create 20 jobs for those with a chemistry background.
    
"It's the kind of green energy efficient, environmentally sound, economic development initiative that we want to see more of in the city of New Haven and throughout the state of Connecticut," said Senator Martin Looney, (D) New Haven.

The goal is to have the plant up, running, and converting fuel by the fall.

Learn more at http://www.greenleafbiofuels.com/