Bioenergy

Updated 2/08/2008

For more information, e-mail us or call (360) 902-1918.

Jeff Canaan, BioEnergy Coordinator
Washington State Department of Agriculture
Director's Office
(360) 902-1918

“I am proposing a real energy agenda for Washington. This agenda will start to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and create new markets for crops grown in Washington.”
- Governor Chris Gregoire

Washington's residents spend over $25 million each day on gasoline and diesel fuel while 63 percent of the U.S. petroleum supply is imported. The use of petroleum fuels contributes to air pollution in our cities and to the release of greenhouse gases. At the same time, many of our farmers face low commodity prices and need new market opportunities.

Producing energy from local crops and agricultural and forest wastes can reduce our dependence on imported energy sources, reduce air pollution and strengthen our farm economy. To accomplish this, the Legislature passed laws to 1) ensure a market for biofuels in Washington and 2) provide loans to encourage the development of a local bioenergy industry.

State law requires that by the end of 2008 at least 2 percent of the gasoline sold in the state be an ethanol blend and at least 2 percent of the diesel sold in the state be a biodiesel blend. Additionally, the law requires that by June 2009, at least 20 percent of the diesel used in state vehicles be biodiesel.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture issued low-interest loans totaling $13 million to assist five energy projects through the Energy Freedom Loan program. The projects are:

Port of Warden is partnered with Washington Biodiesel to construct an integrated oilseed crushing and biodiesel production facility.
Spokane County Conservation District is working with Palouse-Bio, LLC to construct an oilseed crushing and biodiesel production facility.
South Yakima Conservation District partnered with George DeRuyter Farm to construct an anaerobic digester converting methane from dairy waste into clean electricity.
Port of Sunnyside is working with Natural Selection Farms on an oilseed crushing facility to produce oil that will be used in biodiesel production.
Odessa Public Development Authority partnered with Inland Empire Oilseeds on an oilseed crushing and biodiesel refining facility.

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