Red Rock Biofuels facility breaks ground in Lakeview

In Oregon, Red Rock Biofuels broke ground on the $320 million renewable fuels facility last week, a step forward towards taking woody biomass waste and converting it to an estimated 15 million gallons of jet fuel. After seven years in progress, the groundbreaking provided a monumental day for Red Rock and those who have contracts with them like Federal Express and Southwest Airlines. The Lakeview facility will be the first of its kind to utilize woody biomass for its raw materials and fuel deliveries are expected to begin by December 2019.

“This is a monumental day for Southwest,” Michael AuBuchon, fuel supply chain director for Southwest Airlines told Herald and News. “Red Rock will help us make our environmental goals as we have a continuous eye to reduce our carbon footprint. This facility is key to our strategy.”

“This bio-refinery marks a turning point,” said Red Rock Chief Financial Officer Jeff Manternach. “It will help this mill town continue to be a place where things are made, and it will combat global climate change. This is the first of its kind in the world, and you all made it happen. May this be the precedent for a great highway fueled by courage and innovation.”