Contact: Liz Fuller
Phone: 503–552-5067
Email: media@nextrenewables.com
Port of Columbia County and NEXT Renewable Fuels select 94 acres for green diesel facility, amend site development agreement
The parcel is adjacent to NEXT’s recently purchased 25-acre parcel, giving NEXT a contiguous 119-acre site for the project
PORTLAND, ORE. – March 20, 2019 – NEXT Renewable Fuels has selected 94 acres to lease from the Port of Columbia County for development of the company’s Advanced Green Diesel production facility.
This 94-acre parcel, which is currently being rezoned, is adjacent to the 25-acre parcel NEXT recently purchased from the Teevin Bros, providing a contiguous 119-acre site where NEXT will develop a facility to produce up to 37,500 barrels per day of Advanced Green Diesel.
“By selecting this parcel of port property, NEXT is affirming its commitment to Port Westward and Columbia County. We will be working closely with the Port and other stakeholders to successfully complete the rezoning of these 94 acres while we move forward with the development and permitting of our other property at the Port,” said NEXT President Lou Soumas.
“We are encouraged in this latest step to bring a renewable, environmentally friendly energy product to the Port District. This commodity is the logical way forward in weaning ourselves off greenhouse-producing fossil fuels while maintaining the level of energy output we are all accustomed to,” said Doug Hayes, executive director of the Port of Columbia County.
Specifically, the Port and NEXT have amended the Site Development and Option Agreement, which they entered into on Sept. 12, 2018, to reflect NEXT’s selection of the 94-acre property adjacent to its existing 25-acre plot. The planned Advanced Green Diesel production facility is projected to create more than 200 full-time, family-wage jobs, generate more than $12 million a year in local property tax revenues, and pay more than $5.5 million Port fees. NEXT recently signed an MOU with the Columbia Pacific Building Trades Council and the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters for construction of the NEXT Facility, an anticipated $1.1 billion investment.
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About NEXT
NEXT is focused on the development and production of second-generation advanced biofuels, including renewable diesel, renewable propane and renewable naphtha to supply contracted off-take agreements for customers in the western United States and Canada. NEXT’s fuels reduce life-cycle greenhouse gas emission by up to 80%, improving the environment and moving us forward to a greener future.
About Advanced Green Diesel
Advanced Green Diesel is a second-generation biofuel, meaning it is a drop-in replacement for fossil fuel-based diesel. While you can blend Advanced Green Diesel with traditional diesel, you don’t have to. Our advanced biofuel can be used in diesel engines without modification and without negative long-term effects while burning cleaner than other fuel options.
About the Port of Columbia County
The Port of Columbia County offers a variety of sites for industrial development in its 9‑site portfolio of about 2,400 acres of land, sites with excellent highway, rail, and river access, including the Port Westward Industrial Park. The Port of committed to being stewards of our environment. Every project and practice in our industry has some impact on the natural surroundings, so we always ensure balance given our environmental impact within the Port District.