A proposal for a $42 million, four-year Jatropha biodiesel and synthetic diesel project has been presented to the US Department of Energy (DOE) by Denver-based Blue Sun Biodiesel . The proposal is in response to a $200 million DOE request for proposals to demonstrate the commercial viability of an integrated biofuels refinery utilizing non-food based cellulosic feedstocks.

If funded, the project will capitalize on an innovative approach to utilize domestically produced Jatropha feedstock grown in southern Texas. The farm will be co-located with a state-of-the-art biorefinery with a leading-edge biomass thermochemical processing system. The fully integrated development will generate all of its own electricity and heat, producing 100% renewable biodiesel and synthetic diesel fuel (syndiesel). The biorefinery will be self-sufficient, consume zero-fossil-fuels, and will be carbon-neutral. Blue Sun is teaming with Global Clean Energy Holdings, Community Power Corporation, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden, Colorado on this project proposal.

Blue Sun’s mission is to produce the lowest-cost, highest-quality diesel fuel possible from biomass. Jatropha development in Texas is consistent with Blue Sun’s immediate and long-term strategic plan. “Since its inception, Blue Sun has focused on distributing premium biodiesel fuel with warranted industry-leading specifications. Although Jatropha needs years of development work, the success of this project will help Blue Sun secure a continuous supply of biodiesel feedstock that meets our stringent quality requirements,” said Blue Sun CEO Jeff Probst. “We expect this four-year project to fully validate the potential for producing over 200 million gallons of Jatropha biodiesel and syndiesel per year.”