North Morrow Volume XXIIII Number 8 March 4, 2016
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USDA to help finance new farm waste Biorefinery in Boardman
Novus Pacific plans to build at Port of Morrow
egon. PORTLAND, Oregon, February 26, 15-20 support jobs. Congress established the Daily, the plant is expected to 2016 — U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Develop- generate 3.8 million cubic feet of Biorefinery program in 2008 and ment Under Secretary Lisa Mensah renewable natural gas, 350 gallons expanded it in the 2014 Farm Bill to joined Sen. Jeff Merkley in Oregon of liquid fertilizer, and 11.2 tons of include renewable chemicals and today to pledge their support for a new biorefinery in the state. “USDA is proud to support innovative, biobased projects such as this one,” Mensah said. “This biorefinery will spur economic development, create new jobs and provide new markets for farm commodities in rural Oregon.” Novus Energy, LLC plans to build a biorefinery in Boardman, Ore., to process agricultural waste into fuel, natural gas, organic fertilizer and other An artist's rendering of the Novus Pacific plant in Boardman. (Picture provided.) biobased products. Novus will use waste from onion and potato processing plants, material that can improve soil physi- biobased product manufacturing. dairy manure, seasonal plant by- cally or chemically to make it more The program provides guarantees for loans by commercial lenders to products and other waste supplied suitable for plant growth. The plant will return approxi- fund the development of by local growers and processors mately 172,000 gallons of treated biorefineries to produce advanced as the primary feedstock. USDA has reserved funds to water to the Port of Morrow daily. biofuels, renewable chemicals and Today’s agreement is the most biobased products. support the project with an $11 USDA is accepting applications million loan guarantee through the recent example of USDA’s support Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, in helping grow the biobased for loan guarantees under the proand Biobased Product Manufac- economy and helping U.S. compa- gram. For more information, connies better compete in a rapidly tact the USDA Rural Development turing Assistance Program. Novus is working with an Or- growing, global, renewable chemi- Energy Division, (202) 720-0410 or at energydivision@wdc.usda.gov. egon lender, Old West Federal cals market. President Obama’s plan for ruSince the start of the Obama Credit Union, to finance the project. USDA hopes to finalize loan terms Administration, USDA has in- ral America has brought about hiswith Novus and Old West by sum- vested $765 million in nine toric investment and resulted in mer. The total cost for the plant is biorefineries that have produced stronger rural communities. Under 150.1 million gallons of advanced the President's leadership, these expected to be $20.2 million. The biorefinery will be built on biofuels. USDA has financed investments in housing, commuland owned by the Port of Mor- projects in Florida, Georgia, Iowa, nity facilities, businesses and inrow, one of the largest ports in Or- Louisiana, Michigan, Nevada, New frastructure have empowered rural egon. It is located near large or- Mexico, North Carolina and Or- America to continue leading the ganic and traditional farms and is egon. Additionally, since the be- way – strengthening America’s home to 10 major food producers. ginning of the Administration, economy, small towns and rural Novus expects to hire up to 10 USDA Rural Development has in- communities. people to operate and maintain the vested nearly $24 million in 413 replant and indirectly create another newable energy projects in Or-
Novus Pacific, LLC is developing a renewable energy plant at the Port of Morrow in Boardman, Oregon to convert agricultural biomass to green biogas, organic fertilizer and clean water for sale as valuable commodities. Successful completion of this project will produce Mid-Columbia economic growth through the creation of jobs, more competitive organic farming economics and new markets for agricultural biomass. At this location, Novus Pacific has a sustain-
able, long-term feedstock supply, a mix of strong local customers for all its biogas, organic fertilizer and clean water outputs and an established industrial and agricultural infrastructure within which to successfully operate. The facility at Port of Morrow will convert approximately 442,000 tons per year of local area agricultural residues, by-products and waste to create 670,000 mmBTU’s of green biogas, 2.4 million gallons of concentrated liquid organic fertilizer and 86 million gallons of clean water per year thereby producing approximately $7+ million per year in revenue. The residues and waste that make up the feedstock are onion and potato processing plant waste, Port of Morrow waste water, dairy manure, seasonal processing plant byproducts and low value straw products, all from local growers and processors.
Bartholomew Building Dedication Morrow County Commissioners invite you to join them on Friday, March 18th at 2:00 pm 110 N. Court Street, Heppner (Next to the Courthouse) As they dedicate the new Judge Alba Bartholomew Building Refreshments to follow Judge Bartholomew was Morrow County Judge in 1903 and shouldered much of the burden of recovery from the tragic Heppner Flood.