New Biodiesel Venture Brings Trend To Silicon Valley

Printed July 14, 2006

Silicon Valley is about to get a new reputation as a regional leader in the production of biodiesel instead of computer chips. Golden Gate Petroleum is excited to announce a new venture with Bay BioDiesel, LLC to open a new biodiesel production plant in San Jose, Calif. Biodiesel, a renewable, biodegradable fuel, has become the newest alternative fuel source in a world where filling the gas tank costs Bay Area residents an average of $3.17 a gallon.

"Golden Gate Petroleum is proud to be the leading West Coast distributor in the fast growing renewable energy and biofuels industry. Our affiliation will Bay BioDiesel, LLC will help us solidify our position as a leader in this industry and it will support our growth goals," said Pat O’Keefe, vice president at Golden Gate Petroleum.

With the demand for biodiesel growing, Golden Gate Petroleum and Bay BioDiesel, LLC wanted to choose a city that would provide the ideal location for the plant. The city of San Jose was chosen for the plant location because of its reputation of constant invention, advancement and improvement, not only in the high-tech field but in other industries as well. "Bay BioDiesel, LLC is excited to bring biodiesel to the Silicon

New Biodiesel Venture

Valley, the heart of innovation. We consider ourselves fortunate to be a part of an industry that is both eco-friendly and renewable," said Lori O’Keefe, chief financial officer at Bay BioDiesel, LLC.

In addition to its reputation, the plant’s location in San Jose offers Bay BioDiesel the benefit of railroad access with a rail spur on the facility allowing feedstock to be shipped directly to the plant site, increased storage for feedstock and product, plus the added benefit of a welcoming city that is very pro-biodiesel.

"One of Bay Biodiesel, LLC's main goals is to develop higher yield feedstocks and better technology for the production of biodiesel. We can think of no better place than the Silicon Valley to help us reach these goals," said Lori O’Keefe.

Construction for the plant is slated for late August with production beginning in September. Within the first year, the plant is expected to produce an estimated five million gallons of biodiesel. It is then predicted that the plant will produce 10 million gallons of biodiesel by the second year. The production of biodiesel at that quantity will make this alternative, renewable fuel source accessible to both commercial and private consumers alike.