Montana Renewables Receives $1.44 Billion Conditional Commitment from DOE for Renewable Fuels and Biomass Energy Facility

The expansion would position Montana Renewables as one of the largest Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers globally.

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): Calumet, Inc. announced that the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Programs Office has awarded a conditional commitment for a loan guarantee of up to $1.44 billion to fund the construction and expansion of a renewable fuels facility owned by Montana Renewables, LLC.  Montana Renewables is an unrestricted subsidiary of Calumet. The expansion would position Montana Renewables as one of the largest Sustainable Aviation Fuel producers globally with production capacity of approximately 300 million gallons of SAF and 330 million gallons of combined SAF and renewable diesel.

“We would like to thank the DOE LPO team for its dedication and partnership during this process,” said Bruce Fleming, CEO of Montana Renewables. “Furthermore, our commitment to expanding SAF supply benefits the local community, the State of Montana, and the Pacific Northwest economic region.  We are grateful for the steadfast support received from Great Falls, Cascade County, the State of Montana and Congressional officials and authorities.”

MRL expects to execute a sequence of discrete individual projects including: a second renewable fuels reactor (allowing approximately half of the 300 million gallon SAF capability to be online by 2026); debottlenecking of the existing renewable fuels and feedstock pretreatment units; installation of SAF blending and logistics assets; increased renewable hydrogen production; addition of cogeneration for renewable electricity and steam; on-site water treatment and recycling capabilities; and other site enhancements.

“Our MaxSAF planned expansion is fully aligned with strategic national interest in low-emission sustainable alternatives,” Fleming continued. “The expansion will directly replace fossil jet and diesel; reduce MRL’s carbon footprint by producing more renewable hydrogen and electricity; and contribute to regional economic development.”

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com