Western Dubuque Bio-Diesel Opens

by Katie Wiedemann

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By Katie Wiedemann

Story Created: Aug 10, 2007 at 3:41 PM CST

Story Updated: Aug 10, 2007 at 5:35 PM CST

FARLEY- Iowa's newest bio-diesel plant starting making its soy-bean based fuel this week.

Western Dubuque bio-diesel plans to make 30 million gallons per year.
These are pictures from inside the new plant.

It’s located in Farley about 16 miles West of Dubuque.

Sadie Bergfeld of Earlville is living large these days.

She has a new job, but can spend more time with her family.

Bergfeld said, "It helps me with wages and day care and rotating weekends and having off some days during the week really helps me out. I just spend time with my kids."

Bergfeld and 28 other workers from the western Dubuque area were recently hired and trained to run the new plant.

General Manager Tom Brooks said, "We are paying 30 percent about the average wage here in Dubuque County."

Brooks says that averages to about 20 dollars per hour, and includes benefits.

Working with so many chemicals the employees have to be extra cautious.

For safety reason visitors are not allowed inside the actual plant because the chemicals they use to make bio-diesel could be a hazard.
Part of the technology at this plant always workers to produce and sell a bi-product of bio-diesel.

Brooks said, "Glycerin can be used in food products and health products also in medicine type stuff."

Bettering the environment, and bettering these workers lives.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for Western Dubuque bio- diesel is set for September 12th.

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