Sedgwick, Kansas – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) toured the state’s first operating biodiesel plant Thursday located in Sedgwick, Kan.

The biodiesel fuel produced by Healy Biodiesel, Inc is made from soybean oil and recycled cooking oils collected from Kansas restaurants.

“This is the type of alternative energy production the Kansas Legislature envisioned when it approved the Soybean Checkoff several years ago as a way to fund research to find potential uses for soy,” Speaker Neufeld said. “This moves our country one step closer to freeing itself of dependence on foreign oil. Instead of importing oil and diesel, we have a company that is meeting energy needs and keeping the profit here in Kansas.”

The plant creates a B99 blend which is 99% biodiesel and 1% petroleum diesel that can be used in any diesel-fuelled vehicle without any conversion. Annual production is projected at 500,000 gallons. Healy sells the biodiesel fuel for $2.50 per gallon - about .50 lower then current diesel fuel prices.

“I commend the entrepreneurial spirit of Ben Healy and his family. He like our Kansas ancestors saw a need and a challenge and met it head-on,” Speaker Neufeld said. “This biodiesel plant is quite impressive and I hope it’s just the first of many in our great state.”

Speaker Neufeld toured the plant with Kansas Congressman Todd Tiahrt (R-Wichita), State Senator Carolyn McGinn (R-Sedgwick), and State Representatives John Grange (R-El Dorado) and Don Schroeder (R-Inman). The tour was arranged by the Kansas Soybean Commission and Association.