Center for Liquid Biofuels

The New York state senate awarded $4 million for the creation of the New York Center for Liquid Biofuels at Morrisville State College with a facility based in Cortland County. The grant for the center will help fund a biodiesel infrastructure in New York State through the construction of an oilseed crushing and biodiesel processing plant and extensive research in the use of biofuels and byproducts.

The first phase of the liquid biofuels project will directly create 20 jobs. It is also expected to create approximately 130 jobs in the agriculture sector.

Morrisville State College and its research partner, Empire AgriFuel, LLC, will construct an oilseed crushing and "green" biofuel blending facility on Route 11 in Cortlandville, N.Y. The crushing plant will initially be capable of handling up to 200 tons per day, or approximately 2.4 million bushels of soy and or canola per year, and produce 5 million gallons of clean, "green" biodiesel.

Groundbreaking research in the use of biofuels in locomotive transportation will be conducted in biodiesel use and production, including emissions, stability, performance and options for by-products. Through collaboration with the New York Susquehanna and Western Railroad, the center also plans to establish a research facility in Binghamton, NY.

Based on a model developed by Morrisville State College, the project creates regional economic gains at every step of the process – from feedstock growth, to oil seed and biofuel production, to the end user. The total economic impact, both direct and associated, is projected to be more than $47 million, through anticipated increased soybean value, output of the crushing and blending plants, wages, construction and ancillary revenue.

The project will also advance upstate New York as an emerging leader in the development and commercialization of renewable fuel technology, as well as increase market demand for New York State soybean and canola growers.

The liquid biofuels project supports the goal of developing a "green core" and is a model for an education-industry collaboration that can help solve our nation’s critical energy challenges, stimulate regional economies, and enhance the viability of New York State’s rich agricultural land base.

The grant was designated by Sens. Libous and Seward and will be administered by the SUNY Research Foundation.