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Biodiesel Plant in Dade City 'At The Forefront'

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By KEVIN WIATROWSKI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

DADE CITY - If one man's trash is another man's treasure, Bill Nelley is sitting on 80,000 gallons of liquid gold.

That's how much chicken grease Nelley's employer, Agri-Source Fuels LLC, has stored in a stainless-steel tank at the Dade City Business Center.

Agri-Source Fuels is a year-old company that turns agricultural waste into biodiesel, a low-pollution fuel blended with petroleum-based diesel to reduce emissions.

Agri-Source was among seven Pasco County companies recognized recently during the Pasco Economic Development Council's annual awards banquet. It was honored as manufacturing industry of the year for small companies. Zephyrhills Spring Water Co. won for large companies.

Council President Mary Jane Stanley said Agri-Source was honored because, as the state's only biodiesel firm, its $1.7 million venture in Dade City represents an investment in the future.

"They're at the forefront of the search for alternative fuels that the country and the state are involved in," Stanley said.

The company makes about 3 million gallons now, but it has the potential to expand that to 10 million gallons in the near future and to 60 million gallons within a few years.

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