The future's knocking at Gretna's door

Simplicity has an elegance all its own. Consider the process of converting plants into the usable energy that this community — and country — needs.

It’s an idea whose time has finally arrived.

Over the past few years, Piedmont BioProducts has worked to solve several complex problems at once — unused farm fields, the need to develop new cash crops to bolster one of Pittsylvania County’s biggest industries and the demands of an energy-hungry economy.

The solution is to plant crops locally that can be turned into fuel for commercial and industrial boilers, and eventually green gasoline and green diesel for cars, trucks and farm tractors. There’s energy in plants, and it is the pursuit of that energy that has pushed Piedmont BioProducts and the Dan River Region to the forefront of the new energy economy.

The next step will be construction of a refinery in Gretna, with work expected to start next year. Private and Tobacco Commission funding will get the $8 million to $10 million refinery built. A second refinery could eventually be built in the southern end of Pittsylvania County.

“The Gretna vicinity is an ideal location due to the availability of the local land and people to support it,” Piedmont BioProducts CEO Ken Moss said. “… It’s just a great opportunity for this region.”

It certainly is.

Agriculture has long been the cornerstone of Pittsylvania County’s economy.
What Moss’ company is going to build in Gretna will create a short trip for the harvested plants — 50 to 100 tons to make about 6,000 gallons of oil a day. Over time, the refinery could grow to handle as much as 500 tons of feedstock daily to generate 60,000 gallons a day of green fuel.

Those biofuels become part of the answer to the question of how this country will be able to meet its future energy needs. Over time, other refineries could be located in other rural areas with farms, farmers and equipment to grow the necessary feedstock.

“This is a win-win for Gretna and the rest of Pittsylvania County,” said Gretna Town Manager David Lilly. “We’ve created our own economic stimulus package.”

Lilly envisions not only the direct benefits of refinery jobs and increased farming jobs and farm income, but also increased sales of tractors, shops to repair them and farm-implement stores. He’s right — it really is the county’s own economic stimulus package.