President Carter Welcomes Georgia Biodiesel Plant in Hometown
New plant will join more than 100 others in fast-growing industry

2/20/07 - Known throughout the world as a renewable energy advocate, President Jimmy Carter helped break ground on a biodiesel plant in his hometown on February 20.  The plant will be built in Plains, Georgia - just six blocks from President Carter's home.  What's more, the new Alterra Bioenergy Corporation plant plans to make some of its biodiesel from the very peanuts grown on the President's farm.  

"The development of alternative, environmentally responsible energy sources has been a passion of mine since I became a public servant," President Carter said. "The production of alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, is a very important step toward energy independence while at the same time being less harmful to the environment and supporting local farmers."

"We can thank President Carter for the thriving renewable energy growth of today," said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board, who spoke at the event. "Many people within the biodiesel and ethanol industries credit his leadership in the 1978 Energy Bill for launching the renewable fuels effort in the United States." 

President Carter's history with peanuts fits neatly with the history of biodiesel.  Rudolph Diesel, who designed the diesel engine, ran early models on peanut oil.  He advocated the use of vegetable oils as fuel and believed they would one day play a key role in our energy economy.

“Yesterday was President’s Day,” Jobe said.  “I can think of no better way to recognize that day, than to be here with all of you in beautiful rural south Georgia, realizing President Carter’s vision from 30 years ago of renewable energy through agriculture.”

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