Renewable Energy Group (REG) held a groundbreaking ceremony last week to celebrate the start of construction on the company’s improvement and expansion project at REG Geismar in Louisiana. The project will take total site production capacity from 90 million gallons per year to 340 million gallons per year, and bring more than 60 permanent jobs and up to 500 construction jobs to the area.

REG Geismar was the first renewable diesel production facility in the U.S. and was acquired by REG in 2014. The project involves upgrades to the existing site, as well as an adjacent expansion. Improvements will include enhanced marine logistics that will enable global trading of feedstocks and fuel. The estimated project cost is $950 million, and is expected to be fully operational in 2024.

The groundbreaking event included state and local lawmakers, as well as project partners and community members. “It’s an honor to have such a forward-thinking business like Renewable Energy Group right here in the state of Louisiana,” said Louisiana Governor, John Bel Edwards. “REG has been an exceptional partner for this community and our state, and we were proud to be able to provide an incentive package for this improvement and expansion. This team is helping our world achieve lower-carbon goals, all while providing a great benefit to our local economy.”