Biodiesel plant in Moberly enters final construction stage
Moberly, MO – Many of the 300 investors and members of Producers’ Choice Soy Energy LLC toured the new facility Saturday at the company’s official Open House. A number of area dignitaries and elected officials joined the Board in the ribbon cutting ceremony, marking a significant step of Missouri’s newest biodiesel production plant in north Moberly. PCSE expects to be producing biodiesel this summer, and contributing to Missouri’s efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. The final phase will be completed this summer with a soybean crush plant on the site.
David Zielke, the CEO for Producers’ Choice said “This project has created jobs, stimulated the economy, and provided a new market for area soybean producers.” He also recognized the efforts of the Board and the investors. “Biodiesel production is just one component of this operation. This facility combines state-of-the art technology. It’s a showplace for how to create renewable fuels and add value to our agricultural economy.”
Board Chairman Jim Beckley of Shelby County called the event one more success story in the three-year process. “From the time we first talked about creating a soybean market connected with biodiesel, we have worked toward this day.” Beckley added, “A lot of hard work has gone into this project. Now, to know we’re ready to start producing biodiesel makes it all worthwhile”
Mark Johnston, the president of Process Concepts which designed and built the plant was also on hand for the ceremony. “Our company has built a number of biodiesel projects in the Midwest, but this one is easily the best combination of technology and planning. The PCSE Board deserves a lot of credit for its vision and efforts.”
Once completed, the PCSE plant, located at Fowler and Robertson Roads in Moberly, will convert soybeans and animal fats into 5-million gallon of biodiesel annually. In addition, with the soybean crushing facility, the plant will provide a substantial market for regional soybean producers. One of the key by-products of the plant will be 65,000 tons of premium quality bean meal, to be used for poultry, livestock and dairy cattle throughout Missouri. In addition, PCSE will also be able to market the glycerin by-product regionally.
The plant is located on a 13.7-acre tract of land directly north of the Dura Manufacturing plant and carries of price tag of $17.5-million. Process Concepts of Pevely, Missouri, and the general contractor utilized more than 100 Moberly and Macon area laborers through its network of sub-contractors. PCSE qualified for the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Producer Incentive in October 2007. Under those guidelines, the state will pay PCSE 30-cents per gallon on the first 15 mgy of biodiesel created during the first five years of operation. In the recently completed equity drive, more than $7-million was raised from nearly 300 investors located in the area and throughout the state. Most of the investors were farmers who qualified for the New Generation Missouri Income Tax Credits. A major portion of those earned tax credits were distributed in the most recent tax year. The remaining credits are schedule for release in July 2009.
For more information, contact Greg Walker, Communications Consultant at (877) 399-6999
Producers’ Choice Soy Energy main phone number is (660) 263-7273
