Delta Biofuel is looking at building a $70-million renewable fuel plant in Iberia Parish. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson said the production facility would produce a fuel source that is a byproduct of sugar cane fiber known as bagasse.
“And converting it into a burnable pellet which is in high demand in Europe and Asia, as a fuel source that’s both renewable and low in terms of its carbon footprint,” said Pierson.
If located in Jeanerette, Pierson said the Delta Biofuel plant would create 126 new direct jobs with an average salary of $62,000 and 149 indirect jobs for the area. For a total of 275 new jobs for the Acadiana region.
Pierson said this is one of several renewable energy projects the state is working on to augment the state’s oil and gas industry by bringing new and diversified elements to Louisiana’s energy portfolio.
“And these renewable, solar, and wind are making a firm commitment to a cleaner and brighter future doing so in a very environmentally conscious way,” said Pierson.
Pierson said they have been working on the project since 2020 and COVID has presented some delays but now they are close to completing the agreement.
“Getting into a working relationship with the sugar cane producers and moving forward. We look to make this a firm announcement in the very near future,” said Pierson.
The facility would produce up to 300,000 metric tons of bagasse fuel pellets annually.
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