Called MaxSAF, the expansion project will lift annual production capacity to about 300 million gallons of SAF and 330 million gallons of combined SAF and renewable diesel. (Source: Shutterstock)
Calumet subsidiary Montana Renewables closed a $1.44 billion guaranteed loan facility from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office (LPO) to help finance expansion of the company’s renewable fuels facility in Great Falls, Montana.
Montana Renewables is expected to produce about half of North America’s sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and about 12% of the SAF produced globally when the expansion project reaches full capacity, the LPO said Jan. 10.
“As the aviation sector aims to meet its decarbonization goals, SAF will become increasingly vital,” the LPO said. “SAF is one of the only viable near-term options to decarbonize the airline industry, which is responsible for 11% of U.S. transportation emissions or 3.3% of total U.S. emissions.”
Called MaxSAF, the expansion project will lift annual production capacity to about 300 million gallons of SAF and 330 million gallons of combined SAF and renewable diesel, Calumet said.
That’s up from about 140 million gallons per year of biofuels, mostly renewable diesel, produced today.
“This is essentially the largest agricultural investment in Montana history and will double our purchases of seed oils and tallow from approximately 1.5 billion pounds per year today to 3 billion pounds per year post expansion,” said Montana Renewables CEO Bruce Fleming. “This is possible through the strong support and partnership of DOE and follows over two years of detailed due diligence.”
The initial tranche of about $782 million is expected in January with the balance of proceeds funded through the planned construction period, according to a news release. The project is scheduled to begin coming online in 2026.
Recommended Reading
Court Rejects Activists’ Protest of Woodside LNG Pipeline Project
2025-03-31 - Woodside Energy Group prevailed against environmental groups’ arguments to stop a pipeline to Louisiana LNG in a case that originated before the Australian company bought the project.
DOE Secretary Wright Grants Delfin LNG Extension for Exports
2025-03-10 - Delfin LNG's floating LNG export project in the Gulf of Mexico is authorized to export up to 1.8 Bcf/d, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said at CERAWeek.
Haynesville Shale’s Got the Gas but Pipeline Disputes Stall Egress
2025-03-03 - Gas producers such as Chevron Corp. and Expand Energy have seen a host of problems—predominantly due to legal challenges lead by Energy Transfer.
CEO: TotalEnergies to Expand US LNG Investment Over Next Decade
2025-02-06 - TotalEnergies' investments could include expansion projects at its Cameron LNG and Rio Grande LNG facilities on the Gulf of Mexico, CEO Patrick Pouyanne said.
Segrist: Permit Reform Rumbles as US Seeks to ‘Unleash American Energy’
2025-03-19 - The White House has called for changes to a heavily criticized system, but new rules require a lot more work.
Comments
Add new comment
This conversation is moderated according to Hart Energy community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion. If you’re experiencing any technical problems, please contact our customer care team.