Novi, Michigan – On Monday, United States Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the USDA would be making an additional $181 million available for the continued development of commercial-scale biorefineries in the country. Created through the 2008 Farm Bill, the Biorefinery Assistance Program provides loan guarantees to commercial-scale facilities for the development and production of advanced biofuels.
Secretary Vilsack recognized Fremont Community Digester (FCD) as a model of success for the Biorefinery Assistance Program moving forward; one of only two projects which received mention. FCD, the largest commercial-scale anaerobic digester in the United States, was funded in-part through a $12.8 million loan guarantee from the USDA. Entering operation late last year, FCD is capable of processing more than 100,000 tons of organic waste annually, and provides power for around 1,500 homes in the Fremont, MI area.
NOVI Energy is the Developer and operator for FCD. Indus Nergy and North Central Cooperative are the other owners of FCD.
More information on the USDA Biorefinery Assistance Program is available on the USDA Rural Development website.