HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0011.005 2006-2008 ACS Pacific Biodiesel
40 Hobron Avenue
Kahului, Hawaii X732
(808)877-3144
'O~'~~~' (808) 877-5030 Fax
www.biodiesel.com
TESTIMONY FOR PROPOSED Amendment to Ordinance No. 06-80
To: HAWAII COUNTY COUNCIL
Hilo, Hawaii
January 19, 2007, 9:00 a.m.
From: Robert A. King Kelly T. King
President, Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. Vice President
40 Hobron Avenue Dir. of Marketing
Kahului, Maui 96732
808-877-3144
Dear Honorable Council Chair Hoffman and Honorable Councilmembers,
Thank you for your consideration of this important legislation. We are hoping today to
see the Council's passage of the amendment to Ordinance No. 06-80. This amendment
would add $1.75 million to make the public improvements to the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill
in the acreage set aside by the current landfill permit for resource recovery to allow fora 10-
acre composting site with one acre of containment for mixing in biosolids, as well as
construction of receiving bays for biosolids and for FOG (fats, oils and grease). It also sets
aside acreage for future Biodiesel production which would be funded and operated by the
contractor perhaps in partnership with local private investors.
Pacific Biodiesel, Inc. urges the approval of the proposed resolution as much-needed
legislation to encourage the renewable fuel industry in Hawaii County. As are the
environmental and economic benefds of the co-composting operation, likewise the benefds of
renewable energy, especially from recycled waste oil feedstock, are well documented.
Positives include landfill diversion, discouragement of illegal dumping, zero contribution to
global warning, lower fuel emissions, as well as a step toward energy security and
sustainable energy. The used cooking oil collection is a very important first step toward
developing an industry that will require a local fuel crop source which will signficantly impact
the Big Island in a positive way. The added promise of eventually producing Biodiesel in the
community has local economic benefds by keeping jobs, profits and taxes assoaated with
local energy production in the County. If Pacific Biodiesel becomes the Biodiesel facility
operator, consumers will also benefit in that our company has made a serious commitment to
keep Biodiesel prices stable by tying them to cost of production rather than following the ups
comm.
Ref. Tm-
Rsf, Date IAN 19 U7 0j
and downs of the petroleum market. In the past ten years, our product has had two price
increases.
The biodiesel produced in Hawaii is renewable fuel made from mostly used cooking oil
which would otherwise be landfill material. On Maui, the partnership between the biodiesel
production plant and the neighboring co-composting operation is a key component in the
successful efforts to use 100°k of the waste stream from the biodiesel production. The co-
composting operation incorporates waste glycerol resulting from the biodiesel refining process
as well as utilizes the wastewater from the process. This unique and wonderful partnership
resulted in the presentation of the 2004 SWANA (Solid Waste Association of North America)
GOLD AWARD to Maui EKO Composting and Pacific Biodiesel. The biodiesel refinery is not
possible at this size without a co-composting partner and the support of the County.
As all producers of alternative fuel find, however, the acceptance of these "neviJ' fuels
too often depends on the bottom line and the cost factor has been a major barrier to the
success of this industry across the country. Government support is imperative to the growth
of sustainable, renewable energy. In order to begin production at relatively low volumes, we
will need support from the County. Ten years ago Maui County supported Pacific Biodiesel
with a site at the local landfill, and the growth of the biodiesel industry in Hawaii owes much to
that assistance. Pacific Biodiesel is willing to invest the capital to build the biodiesel facility,
but we need the site, utilities and permitting from the County. We may never get close to the
amount of subsidies currently afforded the petroleum industry, but we can, we hope, get the
assistance necessary within our State and Counties to further our efforts toward a cleaner,
safer, sustainable, more secure energy future which will eventually support diversified
agriculture along with recycling.
If more information is needed, please contact Robert King on Maui at 808-877-3144 or
808-283-4102 (cell), or Kelly King at 808-283-1954 (cell). We invite you atl to come visit the
Maui landfill to experience for yourselves the possibilities that exist for Hawaii County. Your
efforts to support recycling, co-composting and the renewable fuel industry in Hawaii are vital
to all those concerned about our environment, a sustainable economy and energy security.
Mahalo nui loa,
~ ~
Robert A. King Kelly T. King