The California Energy Commission (CEC) is providing $1.86 million to Yokayo Biofuels Inc. for the expansion of its biodiesel production facility in Ukiah, as well as awarding $114,000 to Big Valley Ford Inc. in Stockton for the buy-down of 19 propane autogas vehicles.
Yokayo Biofuels collects used fryer oil from more than 1,000 restaurants and other facilities in northern California and converts it into biodiesel. The CEC funds will help the company expand production from 1,400 gallons a day to 2,000 gallons a day through the deployment of a new enzymatic production process.
State money for the project, which is expected to cost more than $4.7 million in total, is from the Alternative and Renewable Fuel and Vehicle Technology Program.
The propane autogas vehicles that Big Valley Ford is acquiring are trucks in the 8,501-14,000 lbs. GVW range. The CEC funds cover the incremental cost of the purchases, which must be new vehicles that meet all California Air Resources Board emission requirements.
