New Biodiesel Plant Completed in Calif.

BAKERSFIELD, CA --- Crimson Renewable Energy has completed its first biodiesel and glycerin production facility -- the largest in California. 

The plant will use a variety of feedstocks, including used cooking oil, animal fats and virgin vegetable oils, to produce low- and ultra-low carbon fuels, the Bakersfield Californian reported. The facility is designed to produce 30 million gallons of biodiesel annually, nearly doubling California's current biodiesel production capacity of 34 million gallons per year. 

"There's a lot of people starting to feel we're leaving a mess for the next generation -- financially, environmentally, in so many ways. I prefer to be doing something that does the opposite," said Harry Simpson, president and co-founder of Crimson Renewable Energy. 

Simpson told the Bakersfield Californian that biodiesel improves air quality significantly by reducing particulate emissions that come from diesel fuel. According to the California Air Resources Board, biodiesel produced from used cooking oils can reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Simpson added that biodiesel's use addresses California's landmark AB 32 law, which requires cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions.