Task force endorses biofuels project  

Evergreen Biofuels meets with county about Klamath Falls proposal  

By TY BEAVER

H&N Staff Writer
March 29, 2007

   “ Help us market Klamath.” 

   That was the message of officials with Evergreen Biofuels of America at a meeting with the Klamath County Biofuels Task Force Tuesday. The company is looking to operate a 25-million-gallon-a-year biofuel production facility in Klamath Falls . 

   Eric Anderson, Evergreen Biofuels chief executive officer, said he needs to give investors reasons to put their money into Klamath County . 

   The company is in negotiations to buy the FINI building, a former chemical plant near Klamath Memorial Park . The facility would go through a $1.8 million retrofit to give it the capability of producing both ethanol and biodiesel. 

   Ethanol, biodiesel 

   Ethanol production would depend on the supply of potatoes and sugar beets from area agriculture, while biodiesel would likely be made from soybean oil shipped in by rail. Anderson said producing both fuels would create an efficiency, as would the possibility of expansion. 

   “We’re making money through the volume on this,” he said. 

   Task force member Bill Adams asked about the stability of feedstock prices for the facility’s product. Dan Golden, task force leader, asked whether any seismic upgrades would be needed. 

   The building will not need any seismic upgrades but tanks will, Anderson said, adding that his company has been working with local public safety officials to ensure safety. 

    Anderson said the company has watched and researched commodity prices and doesn’t expect any spikes. 

   Space to grow 

   The company is attracted to Klamath County for several reasons. The FINI building has adequate space for expansion as well as more than adequate rail access and utility connections. Energy costs are low in the Pacific Northwest and the Klamath Basin offers agricultural products the company could buy to produce its ethanol. 

   Members of the task force asked Anderson how they could help his company’s efforts. Anderson said the biggest help the group could give would be to give him more reasons for people to invest in the county. 

   The company is already recruiting local investors as well as venture capitalists and other financial backers. Many are already sold on biofuels — now they just need a reason for biofuels to be in Klamath County , Anderson said. 

   The task force gave Evergreen Biofuels its endorsement and Golden said the panel would do what it could to help the company.

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