Click image to enlarge

(Muhlenberg County, Kentucky) – A diesel-from-coal production plant is on track to be fully operational in the county by 2011, according to David Maland, who was promoted to president of Fuel Frontiers this week. Maland says a final evaluation of three acceptable sites is underway and a decision will be made this fall. Construction should start in the third quarter of next year.

The project is a joint venture announced in May between Kentucky Fuel Associates and Fuel Frontiers, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Washington, D.C.-based technology development company Nuclear Solutions. At first, the plant will employ about 100 and produce 70 million gallons annually. Within two years the operation is slated to grow to 200 workers and produce more than 200 million gallons a year. The plant will sit on about 40 acres.

With large amounts of coal being mined nearby as well as proposed new underground mines, the plant should have easy access to supplies. “Feedstock is fully available within just a few miles,” Maland said. “So we have less Co2 in bringing the feedstock in, less transportation. Even with oil dropping … it’s really exciting. It just validates what we’re saying, that we can be competitive even if the markets drop.”

Look for the plant to sell diesel to customers within a 60-mile radius. This type of regional operation appears to be gaining momentum and Maland expects to see more of them across the country. “We’re very concerned about Co2 production,” he said “The only way you can really reduce emissions is by minimizing every step along the way.”

Kentucky Fuel Associates reportedly has plans for up to six of these plants in the state. This is Fuel Frontiers first venture into fuel, but the company is also looking at investing in other opportunities across the country.

For more information on Nuclear Solutions/Fuel Frontiers call 202-787-1951 or visit their Web site at http://www.nuclearsolutions.com.

By Joe Cogliano II

Joecog2@sbcglobal.net