Green Earth Fuels, the nation's newest leader in helping progressive energy companies integrate renewable and environmentally sound biodiesel into existing distillate product offerings, achieved outstanding fuel quality results from its initial production batches at the new Galena Park facility on Houston's Ship Channel.

The company's first process line, capable of producing 45 million gallons-per-year (mmgpy) of quality biodiesel, went into commercial operation on July 24. Its first two batches of biodiesel, which were produced from Soybean oil, met the national ASTM (American Society of Testing and Materials) specifications. This first of two planned trains was completed on schedule and on budget.

To date the facility has produced and shipped more than 2.4 million gallons of fuel, with all of it meeting the stringent requirements of ASTM specification D6751.

The facility utilizes Green Earth's proprietary design which focuses on producing ratable and high quality biodiesel. A $100,000 on-site fuel-testing lab, managed by highly experienced Green Earth technicians, closely monitors biodiesel quality throughout every step of processing to ensure that all of the product will meet ASTM requirements before third-party certifications are performed, and that only high quality biodiesel is allowed to exit the plant.

Anointed by U.S. DOE as America's fastest growing fuel, biodiesel is a renewable fuel derived from natural sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats and can be blended seamlessly into diesel fuel. U.S. biodiesel production more than doubled last year to an estimated 225 million gallons. According to the National Biodiesel Board, the industry intends to replace five percent, or three billion gallons, of the country's petroleum diesel for on-road uses by 2015.

Compared to petroleum-based diesel, biodiesel significantly reduces air emissions, complies with strict low sulfur mandates, and can be used in diesel blends with no modifications or infrastructure changes. Furthermore, biodiesel supports the U.S. farm economy, improves regional and national energy security, expands tight fuel inventories, and reduces America's foreign oil dependence.

"The high quality biodiesel we have produced from day one is unique in this industry and reflects a fundamental commitment we make to our commercial customers and investors," remarked Greg Bafalis, Green Earth president and chief executive officer. "By ensuring we can meet the rigorous scale, quality, and logistics requirements of our energy industry customers, we plan to become an integral and vital link in their renewable fuel strategies."

Construction on the two-train, 90 mmgpy Galena Park project began in 2006. The second process line of 45 million gallons will be in commercial operation by Oct. 1, 2007. The facility, one of the largest in the country, is located within the Galena Park Liquids Terminal owned by Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., one of the largest energy transportation, storage, and distribution companies in North America.

"With our second production train in Houston near completion and projects now underway in California and on the East Coast, we have assumed a leadership role in the U.S. renewable fuels marketplace," added Bafalis. "The time has come for a national biodiesel infrastructure that is safe, sustainable, progressive, and commercially viable."