â–º Listen Live
â–º Listen Live

Memorandum of Understanding reached for renewable diesel refinery in Lethbridge

Lethbridge has become the latest community on the list for a green refinery which could be converting garbage to diesel fuel in fairly short order.

Cielo Waste Solutions has announced it’s entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Renewable U Lethbridge to build a high grade renewable diesel refinery. The two organizations are currently working toward a joint venture agreement.

Cielo President and CEO, Don Allan, tells MyLethbridgeNow.com the goal is to eliminate the need for landfills, adding “if it burns or melts” they can turn it into fuel.

He says that includes everything from cardboard to telephone poles, paper, agriculture waste like corn husks and potato peels, tires, and all kinds of plastics.

Allan says “clamshells are getting a lot of attention right now” as something that can’t be recycled but are “perfect feedstock for us.” He says even contaminated oil pails can be used in the refinery because “plastic is a hydrocarbon, it’s already made from oil to diesel to plastic so to take plastic backward to diesel, it’s quite simple.”

A Lethbridge location has yet to be secured but Allan says that’s one of the next steps, adding he hopes to be scouting land by the end of September and speaking with locals about securing feedstock.

Cielo aims to build 40 green refineries across North America in the next four years. It’s first waste to high grade renewable diesel refinery held its grand opening in Aldersyde, north of High River, July 11th and is expected to be running at full capacity, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by mid-August.

Plans for joint venture refineries have previously been announced for Medicine Hat, Brooks, Calgary, and Grande Prairie.

Tina Karst
Tina Karst
A Lethbridge College alumnus, Tina moved back to the community two years after convocation, in September 2007, to become a member of the CJOC News Team. She started as a weekend reporter/anchor and now serves as Associate News Director. When Tina's not tracking down local news, she's either busy at home with Jordan and their two kids or creating custom macrame pieces for a growing list of clients.
- Advertisement -

cjoc Now playing play

ckbd Now playing play

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

98.1 The Ranch’s Legendary Breakfast

The Ranch's Legendary Breakfast - brought to you by Beltone Hearing Centre highlights all the biggest country music hits from the 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's.

The Ranch’s 90’s at 9

Brought to you by Meyers Original Food and Feed...

UPDATE: Police locate two men in connection with sexual assault investigation

Police in Lethbridge are asking for help with an ongoing sexual assault investigation. 

Walking tours offer visitors and locals alike a glimpse at Lethbridge’s gritty true crime history

Designed for tourists and locals alike, the Lethbridge Historical Society and local historian Belinda Crowson have unveiled the brand-new tour program, Hidden History of Lethbridge Walking Tours. 

Hundreds line downtown streets for Lethbridge Pride Parade

The Lethbridge Pride Parade brought hundreds of people downtown on Saturday, June 28.
- Advertisement -