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In a town most famous for peanuts and a president, biodiesel could be the next chapter for Plains, Georgia.

This story from WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia says Alterra Energy is planning on opening the plant that will create 25 jobs next spring:

Alterra plans to turn a combination of soy oil and chicken fat into Biodiesel fuel. The fuel can be used on any machine that uses diesel fuel. Alterra project manager Jerry Battle says Plains was chosen because of the agriculture and interest in alternative energy sources.

“If this can be a success, then other industries will come to Plains. We’ve got to make this work because everybody else is going to sit back and watch,” Walters said.

The developers of what will be the biggest biodiesel plant in the U.S. have offered to give $5 million to renovate the neighborhood located near the plant.

Smiling Earth Energy has offered the money to help the Chesapeake, Virginia neighborhood of South Hill, which has been cut off from the rest of the city since Interstate 464 bisected the area in 1987. This story in the Virginian-Pilot says the offer is impressing city leaders still deciding the whether to give the project to build a 320-million-gallon-a-year biodiesel plant the green light:

Smiling Earth promised to limit traffic at the plant to three trucks a day, although it hasn’t conducted a traffic study. The company also promised to set up a citizens advisory committee.

The council decided to wait until October to vote on the plan, but Hayes thinks at least five council members support the project. Three members who have voiced support – Hayes, Ward and Councilman Bryan Collins – say their desire to help South Hill residents has influenced them.

Cleaning up the environment and rebuilding neighborhoods… that seems to be the biodiesel way.

Chrysler is encouraging its customers to buy its new line of diesel vehicles… and then run those vehicles on renewable biodiesel.

This press release from the National Biodiesel Board says Chrysler says it would be good for farmers and the environment:

“Modern clean diesel offers significant improvements in fuel economy, which also means a reduction in carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deborah Morrissett, Vice President – Regulatory Affairs for Chrysler.

“When our diesel products are run on clean, renewable biodiesel, the environmental benefits are even greater – at the same time we are reducing our dependence on petroleum and supporting America’s farm economy.”

And the release goes on to say that Chrysler is offering a special buying incentive for National Biodiesel Board members:

Chrysler is offering a special discount program to NBB members in the United States who purchase or lease a new Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge product – with special emphasis on the company’s new diesel passenger vehicles – Dodge Ram heavy duty pickup and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV.

“We are very pleased to see the level of commitment that Chrysler has put into supporting the use of biodiesel,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “Chrysler’s incentive program is an attractive benefit for our NBB members, and a great opportunity to buy a new vehicle from a company that is working hard to provide consumers with more ‘green vehicle’ options running on renewable fuel.”

The biodiesel powerboat, the Earthrace, is making stops in 40 cities over 18 months before it makes another run at the world record for circumnavigating the globe.

Right now, the boat is docked in Edinburgh, Scotland where the public can view this amazing machine. The BBC has this story on it:

The current record of 75 days was set by British boat Cable & Wireless in 1998 and the Earthrace skipper Pete Bethune believes they can do it in 65 days.

“In a normal boat on a wave while travelling fast you tend to get airborne before we come crashing down which is not good on the boat or the crew.

You might remember the Earthrace had to abandon a world-record attempt last May, but at the time, the skipper promised they would be back.