Bio Diesel Plant Coming To Chesapeake

Chesapeake will soon be home to the country's largest biodiesel plant. City Council gave Smiling Earth the approval last night by a 7-2 vote. The plant will be located along the southern branch of the Elizabeth River.

The area does not look like much right now, but will soon be the site of a half billion dollar biodiesel plant. It is currently 44 acres of vacant industrial land off Rosemont Avenue in Chesapeake.

The company says the draw is the waterfront. They will produce 320 million gallons of biodiesel fuel from the seeds of the jatropha plants and then ship it out by boat and by rail car. They say they will use very few trucks for transport.

They estimate creating 40 to 60 jobs for local workers with an average payroll of more than five million dollars.

Some neighbors have expressed concern over the plant. They fear it could be smelly and noisy. Last night Smiling Earth agreed to 48 restrictions from City Council and added several more of their own.

The developers say they have systems in place to to cut down on both the small and the noise.

A spokesperson tells us, "Right now very little is done on this site we will develop it in such a way to protect the environment, protect the wetlands. We develop in a manner that we would do it to have it right next to our homes."

Smiling Earth agree to commit up to five million dollars to revitalize or redevelop the neighboring community of South Hill

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