A 40-million-gallon-a-year plant in Claiborne, AL has produced its first gallon of biodiesel. The project has been a quick turnaround as Independence Renewable Energy Corporation announced it wanted to build the plant just six months ago.

This story from The Birmingham (AL) News:

Plant manager Greg Martin said the biodiesel plant is expected to generate annual revenue of $120 million by distributing the alternative fuel to markets in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi.

The biodiesel plant will use an estimated 27 million bushels of soybeans and will make the company the largest producer in the Southeast United States.

A ceremony with Alabama Gov. Bob Riley will be held later this month.