Waste oil biodiesel project in California teeters after CARB rejects grant funding

In California. Whole Energy Fuels was informed that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will not support a proposed biodiesel project at the Calera Creek Wastewater Treament Plant in Pacifica. Whole Energy Fuels CEO Atul Deshmane said the project is now on hold and that it is seeking new investors.

Deshmane said the waste oil biodiesel project has all permits in place except a tenant improvement permit, and said that Whole Earth has applied for federal grant support, for which a decision is expected by August. The Whole Energy lease for the site expires June 30 and the company will pursue an extension.

Previously,  the $2.4 million 3 Mgy Whole Energy biodiesel project in Pacifica received final approval from the California Coastal Commission, after securing approval from the Pacifica local council.

The project, developed by Whole Energy in conjunction with local officials and the non-profit Liveability Project, has been in planning for three years for a site adjacent to the Calera Creek Water Recycling Plant. Local residents have strongly opposed the plant on health and environmental grounds.

The proposed plant, which would be built and operated by Whole Energy Fuels would produce 3 Mgy of biodiesel, primarily from waste vegetable oil. City officials have estimated that the Bay Area produces more than 11 Mgy of waste vegetable oil across the region. Whole Energy Fuels operates a biodiesel production plant in Washington state.

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