CT Biodiesel brings army of engineers to counter resident complaints at critical Connecticut hearing

In Connecticut, CT Biodiesel responded to resident criticisms of its biodiesel project by bringing 20 architects and engineers to a public hearing, where they presented for three hours on the merits of the project. Resident opposition groups said that their supporters “became worn down and left. They came here to speak, and they’re disappointed.” Resident groups have said that the plant does not meet zoning specifications that ban chemical manufacturing, while CT Biodiesel says that it manufactures fuels, not chemicals, and that chemicals used in its production process were finished or semi-finished and not raw chemicals.

Earlier this month, CT Biodiesel has applied for zoning permits for its 50 Mgy canola and soy-based biodiesel plant in Suffield, the first commercial-scale facility in Connecticut. Under its proposal, the company would provide 35,000 gallons of biodiesel free to Suffield.

Connecticut has been attempting to catch up on biofuels development. In Connecticut, the Center for Advanced Technology has launched a Small Business Incubator Program for biofuels and will offer up to $5 million in grants to biodiesel producers for equipment, storage and distribution. The incentives will include 30 cents a gallon for the first 5 million gallons produced, 20 cents a gallon for the next 5 million gallons, and 10 cents a gallon for the next 5 million gallons.

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