Warden biodiesel project a go

Washington Biodiesel facility plans to break ground in fall

WARDEN — State legislators in session in Olympia have approved a capital budget allowing the Port of Warden to borrow $2.5 million toward an oil seed crushing facility or equipment.

The loan money comes right after a Port of Warden-sponsored Warden Community Forum Monday night, where Washington Biodiesel president Daniel Malarkey announced his company is planning to construct a facility in Warden.

Malarkey said the plant will provide 35 family wage jobs for the local community. The jobs will include material handlers, maintenance workers, lab technicians and operating controllers. These workers will supply 35 million gallons of biodiesel and 200,000 tons of canola meal to the state each year.

"Initially we will have to get our canola from Canada and North Dakota because that is where it is being grown," Malarkey said, according to a Grant County Economic Development Council press release. "However, once the plant is operational, we hope that Washington growers will see that we are able to support a local crop and provide us with it."

"Washington Biodiesel is a very professional group," Port of Warden manager Mike Conley said. "I've been really impressed on how they've put their business plan together and approached selection of Warden for their site. I have full confidence that this is going to be a successful project."

Conley said the loan will help the port acquire the ground for the facility, infrastructure and maybe even some of the building structures. The port will maintain ownership of the property, he said.

"This is a very positive thing for Warden," said Bob Whitaker, president of the Port of Warden board of commissioners, in the press release. "The leadership of our local legislators, Rep. Janea Holmquist, R-Moses Lake, and Sen. Joyce Mulliken, R-Moses Lake, made all the difference in getting this passed."

"Of all the biodiesel projects going on in the state, this one is the largest," said GCEDC executive director Terry Brewer in the release. "In terms of investment, plant size and output, no other project I am aware of matches this one."

Oilseed plant canola "can be grown and be profitable" if it's planted locally, GCEDC communications manager Jon Smith said. "It's the shipping of it that makes it so it's not as competitive as other crops that could be grown."

Smith said the plant is looking to break ground this fall, and begin production in 2007.

Washington Biodiesel began looking at Warden as a potential location for a plant in early October, when the company first contacted Brewer and the GCEDC. Warden was chosen for the project because it is close to a potential source of canola, has a strong workforce, good railroad access and inexpensive power rates.