USA BioEnergy announced closing Jan. 9 on the acquisition of 1,600-plus acres of land in East Texas for its new $2.8 billion advanced biorefinery, designed to convert wood waste into sustainable, net-zero aviation fuel (SAF), according to a company statement.
CEO Nick Andrews announced the puchase during a noon luncheon of the Newton Lions Club, also indicating that talks are underway with the Texas Department of Transportation to upgrade FM 363.
Andrews said he estimated it will be about 18 months until actual construction begins on the site due to the fact that there is engineering and design needed, and the construction phase would last two years.
The landmark SAF facility already secured a 20-year offtake agreement with Southwest Airlines and is touted at the forefront of advancing ultra-low-carbon fuel, which is much needed in the future of aviation.
USABE’s planned $2.8 billion greenfield facility in Bon Weir is currently in detailed design and engineering and aims to address airlines’ growing demand for SAF by converting sustainably sourced forest thinnings into sustainable aviation fuel.
USA BioEnergy signed a 20-year offtake agreement with Southwest Airlines Co. under which Southwest may purchase up to 680 million gallons of neat – or unblended – SAF.
Once blended with conventional jet fuel, the SAF could produce the equivalent of 2.59 billion gallons of net-zero fuel and avoid 30 million metric tons of CO2 over the offtake agreement term.
According to USABE calculations, this will enable approximately 112,000 short (less than three hours) or 7,000 long haul (more than 10 hours) net-zero airline flights per year.
Net zero is determined by a fuel with a carbon intensity of zero (0) gCO2e/MJ or lower on a lifecycle basis.
“This advanced-fuels facility development milestone underscores USA BioEnergy’s commitment to the future of aviation and energy security. It bolsters our goal of being the world’s leader in advanced fuels,” said Andrews. “We also appreciate the opportunity to create good-paying jobs in Newton County, Texas, which has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the state of Texas. We are proud this project is a win-win-win for the area, the industry and our business objectives.”
The initial plant footprint is approximately 300 acres, providing room for growth and plant expansion. After the engineering and design process concludes, construction of the biorefinery is expected to take about two years, followed by a six-to-eight-month commissioning period.
The facility will be reportedly built to allow it annually convert one million tons of sustainably sourced forest thinnings into 65 million gallons of premium net-zero transportation fuel, including sustainable aviation fuel and renewable naphtha.
The plant will also be able to capture and sequester over 50 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the biorefinery’s lifetime.
The project is receiving support from state, county and federal credits and tax incentives totaling approximately $150 million.
Local supporting organizations include the Texas Forest Country Partnership, Texas Forestry Association, the City of Newton, Newton County, the Newton Independent School District, Jasper County, the Sabine River Authority (SRA) and the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office of the Governor.
The Bon Wier biofuels plant is a project being developed by Texas Renewable Fuels, a subsidiary of USA BioEnergy.
The anticipated Southeast Texas biorefinery could bring economic benefits to the region, including 200 new permanent jobs and tax revenue in Newton County and the surrounding counties, boost the local forestry industry and produce advanced low-carbon transportation fuel that contributes to America’s energy independence.
