Imperium lays off 24; says cuts needed for survival in face of economy, Europe tariff, feedstock prices

In Washington state, Imperium Renewables said that it would lay off 24 workers at its 100 Mgy biodiesel plant in Grays Harbor, citing economic conditions, feedstock costs and biodiesel prices as factors in the decision. The company said that the layoffs would enable the company to survive the current downturn. I

mperium faces legal challenges in Hawaii, as well, to its plan of switching the supply of biodiesel to Hawaiian Electric from a previously proposed local Hawaiian production plant to its Grays Harbor facility. The company also recently was slapped with heavy duties for exports to Europe, in retaliation for US subsidies. Imperium is the largest supplier of BQ-900 certified biodiesel in the US.

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