LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Two locations close to Lethbridge, Alta. are being considered for a proposed 24-million-litre-a-year biodiesel plant.

Known mainly as cattle country, the region could house what’s said to be perhaps the largest biodiesel plant in the world.

According to Canadian Press, Sherring Park in north Lethbridge is one of two sites BFuels Canada Corp. is scouting for the plant, which would process canola-based biodiesel in 2008.

However, Chin, on the eastern edge of the County of Lethbridge is considered to be the preferred site by the company since real estate can be acquired for about half the cost of Sherring Park. The Chin site is also closer to a rail line.
Meanwhile, BFuels joined the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and is about to finalize its Lethbridge office location, reports CP.

The company reportedly has letters of intent from petroleum firms and trucking companies in support of a cardlock facility in Lethbridge. The cardlock will be part of the company’s market network for its own biodiesel production.

BFuels President Glenn Collick said the company is assembling an advisory board. Ben Walter of B&D Trucking at Chin is vice-chairman.

Collick said the plant would be more feasible if the federal government comes up with incentives or mandates biodiesel.

The federal government says it’s committed to a B5 (5% biodiesel blend) by 2010.

Trucking groups want to make sure proper testing of biodiesel in new, smog-free engines takes place before a blanket rule is legislated, however.

— with files from Canadian Press