Willie Nelson praises state's biodiesel efforts

Willie Nelson praises state's biodiesel efforts

By Aaron Clark
Associated Press
July 7, 2007

SALEM - Country music star Willie Nelson wants Oregonians to get on the road again - in cars and trucks fueled by used cooking oil and homegrown crops.

Nelson was in Salem Friday to celebrate the expansion of a biodiesel plant he's invested in. The singer and songwriter said Oregon was helping shape the national agenda for renewable fuels.

''This is a great day for Oregon, this is a great day for the nation, when once again Oregon shows the rest of the people how to go, where to go, how to think,'' said Nelson. ''They are very progressive here.''

Earlier this year Oregon lawmakers passed a series of bills aimed at kick-starting the state's biofuels industry, including a requirement that all gasoline sold in Oregon be mixed with 10 percent ethanol after in-state production of ethanol reaches 40 million gallons per year.

Supporters of the bill, including Gov. Ted Kulongoski, say the measure will help revitalize rural agricultural economies. But some have expressed concern that the bill will result in the conversion of high-value farmland used to grow food to farms that grow crops for fuel, thereby increasing food prices.

In 2004, Nelson partnered with Bob King to help fund two Pacific Biodiesel stations, one in Salem, the other in Carl's Corner, Texas.

The SeQuential-Pacific Biodiesel plant in Salem was the state's first biodiesel production facility when it opened two years ago and produces about 1 million gallons of biodiesel a year.

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