MES gets 1st biodiesel permit in Tennessee
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The distinction comes after MES?s biodiesel generator, located near Oster, passed emissions testing Wednesday. The generator has been operational since last summer and produces enough energy to power a large industry by itself.
?I have folks calling me from around the country asking about this,? said MES general manager and CEO Rodney Boyd. ?We?re the only ones in America doing this and it?s happening right here in McMinnville. It?s a tremendous step for us.?
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from soybean oil that burns cleaner and reduces the health risks associated with petroleum diesel.
With the United States? dependence on foreign oil one of the crucial issues facing the nation, biodiesel keeps our energy dollars at home instead of sending them to Saudi Arabia or Iraq. Since biodiesel is made domestically, it reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
?As we confront our energy situation, we must recognize the realities of today and the demands of tomorrow,? said Congressman Lincoln Davis. ?It?s vital to the security and future of the United States that we invest in and develop alternative sources of energy. MES, through its commitment to making us energy independent, is investing in America?s infrastructure and putting Tennessee farmers to work. I applaud their efforts.?
MES?s biodiesel generator has thus far consumed approximately 100,000 gallons of biodiesel which represents 2,041 acres of soybean production for Tennessee farmers. To date, MES has run the unmodified 2,000 kilowatt Caterpillar generator more hours on 100 percent biodiesel than anyone else in America.
Until Wednesday, the generator had been used in strictly a research and development phase. Now that it?s been certified by the Tennessee Air Pollution Control Board and the Department of Environment and Conservation, Boyd can approach TVA to recognize biodiesel in its Green Power Switch portfolio. Thus far, TVA only recognizes wind, solar and ethanol gas in its Green Power program.
Of the 158 distributors of TVA power, MES is one of only three to have its own power generation capabilities.
MES purchases its biodiesel from AgriEnergy in Lewisburg. One problem with biodiesel, in terms of its ability to be widely used in vehicles, is its limited availability.
Boyd says a biodiesel station is in the works on the interstate in Cookeville and he has talked to some people about getting a biodiesel pump in McMinnville.