Biofuels plant in Hawaii first to be certified as sustainable

Keaau, Hawaii

THE trucks roll in and out of the plant at a business park nestled near papaya farms and a forest preserve on the Big Island here. It's an operation that transforms waste cooking oils, animal fats, fruit and seeds into biodiesel fuel - nearly 13,000 gallons a day.

Owned by Pacific Biodiesel, an industry pioneer, the plant was designed with an eye towards conserving water and energy, and avoiding environmental harm.