BlueFire Renewables Receives Final Permits for Construction of its First Commercial Cellulosic Ethanol Facility in Fulton, Mississippi
IRVINE, Calif. and FULTON, Miss., Nov. 10, 2010 — BlueFire Renewables, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: BFRE), a company focused on changing the world’s transportation fuel paradigm through the production of renewable fuels from non-food cellulosic wastes, announced that it has received all permits to allow start of construction of its first commercial project in Fulton, Mississippi.
BlueFire has obtained its final air, wastewater, and storm water permits from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) to start construction. Other permits issued related to the Project include a wetlands permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and a Certificate of Permit Coverage under Mississippi’s storm water general permit from the MDEQ. On June 4, 2010, a Final Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact (Finding) was issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
“The favorable findings and conclusions of the permits issued are reflective of BlueFire’s approach to design, develop, construct and operate domestic fuel production facilities that meet or exceed applicable regulations with no significant impacts to the environment,” said Arnold Klann, CEO of BlueFire Renewables, Inc. “Also embedded in the permits are conditions to protect worker and public health and safety.” added Mr. Klann.
The Fulton Project will be constructed within an industrial park where infrastructure exists or requires only minimum upgrades to serve the project.
The project site, controlled under a long term lease with Itawamba County, has access to rail, interstate highways and barge for maximum flexibility in receiving materials and shipping products. With issuance of the required permits, the County jointly with the City of Fulton, has commenced work on the initial activities of clearing, rough grading and drainage improvements under a contract with Century Construction, a Mississippi based contractor. The work by Century is expected to take about 120 days.
“We are excited to see jobs being created and economic development contribution starting to accrue to the State of Mississippi,” said Mr. Klann. “Once erection of plant and equipment commences, the jobs employed at the site will peak at about 700 under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract with Mastec, Inc.” The Fulton project will allow BlueFire to utilize green and wood wastes available in the region as feedstock for the ethanol plant that is designed to produce approximately 19 million gallons of ethanol per year.
About BlueFire Renewables, Inc.
BlueFire Renewables, Inc. was established to deploy a commercially ready, patented and proven Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process for the profitable conversion of cellulosic waste materials (“Green Waste”) to renewable fuel sources, including Cellulosic Ethanol, Biodiesel, BioJet Fuel, and Drop-in Directs. BlueFire is the only cellulose-to-fuel company worldwide with demonstrated production of Biofuels from urban trash (post-sorted MSW), rice and wheat straws, wood waste and other agricultural residues.
BlueFire received an increase to its Grant totaling $88 million under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in December of 2009. BlueFire’s biorefineries will be located near markets with high demand for ethanol and will use locally available biomass. This should dramatically reduce delivery costs and increase biofuel supplies, while providing a unique waste processing technology to help America’s cities better manage the increasing problem of overflowing landfills. For more information, please visit www.BFREINC.com.
Forward-Looking Statements Statements about BlueFire Renewables expectations, including future revenues and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and as the term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. BlueFire’s actual results could differ materially from expected results. BlueFire undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances. Should events occur which materially affect any comments made within this press release; BlueFire will appropriately inform the public.
This press release includes statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). BlueFire Renewables, Inc. claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act.
These forward-looking statements are often characterized by the terms “may,” “believes,” “projects,” “expects,” or “anticipates,” and do not reflect historical facts. Specific forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to: our successful development and deployment of ethanol production facility or facilities, impact of the company’s expansion plan, and new business development success, future financial results, the impact of competitive products or pricing from technological changes, the effect of economic conditions and other uncertainties. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations contained in any such forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: failure to manage operating expenses or integrate new facilities and/or technologies, each of which could have a material impact on our business, our financial results, and the company’s stock price. These risks and other factors are detailed in the Company’s regular filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Most of these factors are difficult to predict accurately and are generally beyond the Company’s control. Forward-looking statements speak only as to the date they are made and BlueFire Renewables, Inc. does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.