Awake at the Wheel

Imperium CEO Martin Tobias and Founder/President John Plaza. Photo: Imperium

A major milestone for the WA state biodiesel industry: Imperium announces 1m gallon canola contract with Yakima Valley farmers. Propel will make this locally grown biodiesel available to customers at our existing retail sites when the fuel becomes available. Look for rapidly expanding retail outlets in spring/summer this year.

“We’ve always said that we’d be the state’s biggest customer for Washington state produced canola oil, and today we are,” Imperium founder John Plaza said. “This is just the beginning of what we hope will further establish a new market for Washington state farmers.”

The owner of Natural Selection Farms said the deal with Imperium was a winner.

“Diversifying our crop base to include canola makes both great agricultural and business sense,” Ted Durfey said. “I hope others will realize the benefits of adding canola to their crop mix.”

Natural Selection Farms is focused on environmentally responsible agriculture, and since 2003 has been working with the federal and state governments to construct an oilseed pressing facility on its property that is the first in the state.