Chemeketa and Local Industry Pursue Biofuels Training

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 25, 2009

Chemeketa Teams with Local Industry to Pursue Federal Funding
For Biofuels Training and Production Facility

Project designed to create jobs and advance renewable fuel technology

Salem-- Chemeketa Community College has submitted a $10 million funding proposal through Oregon’s congressional delegation to develop a new biofuels processing plant in the mid-Willamette Valley.

The project would establish Oregon’s first pilot-scale biofuels production and technology development facility with substantial training capacity. Chemeketa seeks to prepare workers for a wide range of process technology jobs, and, in particular, develop talent for the emerging, high-growth biofuel processing industry.

Chemeketa, in partnership with Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc., and Wildwood, Inc. is working to acquire federal funding to create training opportunities and to advance renewable fuel technologies at Mill Creek Junction. The SE Salem site is home of Oregon’s only commercial biodiesel production facility, Sequential-Pacific Biodiesel, and the Willamette Valley’s only biofuels analytical laboratory. The proposed facility would utilize existing biomass such as agri-waste, algae and woody waste to produce up to 432,000 gallons of liquid biofuels annually and provide a secondary fuel source to generate 660 kilowatts of power. The facility would also include dedicated space for training and professional development in process technology—creating a living laboratory for hands-on learning, research and development, and green energy production.

“This is our opportunity to be on the cutting edge of green technology utilizing the incredible depth of knowledge we have here at Chemeketa and combine that effort with key community partners to create a new model for energy independence right here in the Mid-Willamette Valley,” said Cheryl Roberts, president of Chemeketa Community College.

John Miller, President of Wildwood, Inc., is thrilled to be partnering with Chemeketa and Pacific Biodiesel on this project. “This project represents a milestone for our company and for the region. In our thirty years of planning and developing sustainable projects, rarely has such an exciting opportunity presented itself to collaborate with such dynamic and capable partners. Pacific Biodiesel is the industry leader in sustainable technology development, and having worked with Chemeketa over the years I am well aware of how good they are at preparing students to become ‘industry ready’ workers.”

Adds Bob King, President of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc. “Locating the new facility next to Oregon’s only commercial biodiesel production facility, and with our state-of-the-art biofuels analytic laboratory, we will provide students and employers with a serious advantage. What makes this program so special is that students will be able to participate in all stages of biofuel technology development -- including bench-scale experimentation, laboratory analysis, pilot-scale production and full-scale commercial production -- all on one site. ”

The project has the potential to create 450 new jobs in construction and biofuels processing and distribution. Job creation activities would focus on preparing and placing new and dislocated workers in family wage jobs connected to product processing, product distribution, and feedstock procurement. The project would expand the talent pool in process technology throughout the region. Chemeketa estimates that there are over 1,300 jobs available right now in its district for workers with process technology skills. It expects to train 60 students a year when the project comes online.

Chemeketa Community College is a publicly-funded Oregon higher education institution serving Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. Chemeketa is dedicated to improving the lives of its students and strengthening the local workforce. For more information, visit www.chemeketa.edu.

Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc. is an established leader in the sustainable biodiesel technology industry. For more information, visit www.biodiesel.com, or contact Bob King at (808) 283-4102

Wildwood, Inc. has thirty years experience planning and developing sustainable industrial, commercial, and residential projects. For more information, visit www.wildwoodco.com, or contact John Miller at 503-931-5273


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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 25, 2009 Chemeketa Teams with Local Industry to Pursue Federal Funding For Biofuels Training and Production Facility Project designed to create jobs and advance renewable fuel technology Salem-- Chemeketa Community College has submitted a $10 million funding proposal through Oregon’s congressional delegation to develop a new biofuels processing plant in the mid-Willamette Valley. The project would establish Oregon’s first pilot-scale biofuels production and technology development facility with substantial training capacity. Chemeketa seeks to prepare workers for a wide range of process technology jobs, and, in particular, develop talent for the emerging, high-growth biofuel processing industry. Chemeketa, in partnership with Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc., and Wildwood, Inc. is working to acquire federal funding to create training opportunities and to advance renewable fuel technologies at Mill Creek Junction. The SE Salem site is home of Oregon’s only commercial biodiesel production facility, Sequential-Pacific Biodiesel, and the Willamette Valley’s only biofuels analytical laboratory. The proposed facility would utilize existing biomass such as agri-waste, algae and woody waste to produce up to 432,000 gallons of liquid biofuels annually and provide a secondary fuel source to generate 660 kilowatts of power. The facility would also include dedicated space for training and professional development in process technology—creating a living laboratory for hands-on learning, research and development, and green energy production. “This is our opportunity to be on the cutting edge of green technology utilizing the incredible depth of knowledge we have here at Chemeketa and combine that effort with key community partners to create a new model for energy independence right here in the Mid-Willamette Valley,” said Cheryl Roberts, president of Chemeketa Community College. John Miller, President of Wildwood, Inc., is thrilled to be partnering with Chemeketa and Pacific Biodiesel on this project. “This project represents a milestone for our company and for the region. In our thirty years of planning and developing sustainable projects, rarely has such an exciting opportunity presented itself to collaborate with such dynamic and capable partners. Pacific Biodiesel is the industry leader in sustainable technology development, and having worked with Chemeketa over the years I am well aware of how good they are at preparing students to become ‘industry ready’ workers.” Adds Bob King, President of Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc. “Locating the new facility next to Oregon’s only commercial biodiesel production facility, and with our state-of-the-art biofuels analytic laboratory, we will provide students and employers with a serious advantage. What makes this program so special is that students will be able to participate in all stages of biofuel technology development -- including bench-scale experimentation, laboratory analysis, pilot-scale production and full-scale commercial production -- all on one site. ” The project has the potential to create 450 new jobs in construction and biofuels processing and distribution. Job creation activities would focus on preparing and placing new and dislocated workers in family wage jobs connected to product processing, product distribution, and feedstock procurement. The project would expand the talent pool in process technology throughout the region. Chemeketa estimates that there are over 1,300 jobs available right now in its district for workers with process technology skills. It expects to train 60 students a year when the project comes online. Chemeketa Community College is a publicly-funded Oregon higher education institution serving Oregon’s Mid-Willamette Valley. Chemeketa is dedicated to improving the lives of its students and strengthening the local workforce. For more information, visit www.chemeketa.edu. Pacific Biodiesel Technologies, Inc. is an established leader in the sustainable biodiesel technology industry. For more information, visit www.biodiesel.com, or contact Bob King at (808) 283-4102 Wildwood, Inc. has thirty years experience planning and developing sustainable industrial, commercial, and residential projects. For more information, visit www.wildwoodco.com, or contact John Miller at 503-931-5273