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Stockton picked for giant biodiesel plant
STOCKTON August 16, 2006 8:50am 
• To be located at city’s seaport • Will be one of the largest in the state 
Port of Stockton Director Richard Aschieris (CVBT file photo)
San Joaquin Partnership President Michael Locke (CVBT file photo)
American Biodiesel Inc., operating as Community Fuels, says it will design, build and operate one of the state’s largest biodiesel plants in Stockton, according to the San Joaquin Partnership, a non-profit economic development organization.
The plant will be located at the Port of Stockton on a multi-acre site adjacent to a 40,000 square foot warehouse space.
It will initially produce 5 million gallons of biodiesel annually and is designed to accommodate an expansion to over 10 million gallons of biodiesel annually.
Initial employment is estimated at 12 or more.
“We selected the Stockton area because it is in the heart of Central Valley agriculture production and is conveniently located to serve the Northern California and Bay Area fuel markets,” says Community Fuels’ CEO Lisa Mortenson.
“The Community Fuels’ biodiesel project will manufacture an alternative fuel made from renewable sources and we welcome them to the Port’s growing family of tenants,” says Port Director Richard Aschieris.
Community Fuels initially will import soy and canola oil from the Midwest for use as feedstock for production, but the company says it hopes to partner with the agricultural and food manufacturing industries to develop a regionally appropriate feedstock supply.
“In order to maximize the economic and environmental benefits of biodiesel, it is important to integrate regional feedstock supply with the production,” says Ms. Mortenson.
Biodisel is made from renewable resources, such as vegetable oils and animal fats. It burns similar to petroleum diesel but with dramatically lower pollutants and with little to no modification needed for diesel engines.
Partnership President Michael Locke says that Community Fuels start-up in Stockton is a coup for the community.
“Biodiesel is a hot commodity right now – it’s clean energy – an alternative fuel source that protects the environment and reduces our dependence on foreign oil,” says Mr. Locke. “This type of fuel production is what the California Energy Commission is actively seeking for this state and the facility at the Port of Stockton will be the fourth commercial production facility in California.”
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