TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Four years ago, Harry Simpson started thinking about what he could do to improve the environment for his his kids and future grandkids.

"I wanted to be an old man some day and say, 'I did something to help the greater good,'" Simpson said. "I wanted to be able to tell them that what I'm doing is to make the planet -- their world -- a better place."

Simpson, president and co-founder of Crimson Renewable Energy, had a vision to produce low- and ultra-low carbon fuels to better the environment and improve air quality.

It was fully realized Wednesday when Crimson announced the completion of its first biodiesel and glycerin production facility -- the largest in California.

The plant, near Interstate 5 and Old River Road, will use a wide variety of feed stocks such as used cooking oil, animal fats and virgin vegetable oils to produce low- and ultra-low carbon fuels.

It's designed to produce 30 million gallons of biodiesel per year, nearly doubling California's current biodiesel production capacity of 34 million gallons per year.

"There's a lot of people starting to feel we're leaving a mess for the next generation -- financially, environmentally, in so many ways. I prefer to be doing something that does the opposite," Simpson said.

Simpson said biodiesel improves air quality significantly by reducing particulate emissions that come from diesel fuel. Particulates are tiny specks of soot, dust, chemicals and smoke that can lodge deep in the lungs when inhaled and increase incidences of respiratory disease.

The California Air Resources Board has said biodiesel produced from used cooking oils can reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 86 percent compared to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

Simpson said the fuel's use addresses California's landmark AB 32 law, which requires cutbacks in greenhouse gas emissions. The fuel will help people meet those requirements as, Simpson said, biodiesel works in all diesel engines -- there is no need to retrofit the vehicle or engine to use to fuel.

The low-carbon fuel will be priced competitively with diesel, he said. Another benefit is reducing reliance on foreign imports of gasoline, diesel and crude oil.

The Crimson project currently employs 14 people; it's expected to employ up to 22.

State Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, said he envisions all school buses in California will one day be fueled with biodiesel. He said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony that the goal is to make biodiesel a fuel of choice.

His daughter, Faith, 9, cut the ribbon. Florez said since she is a future biodiesel user, he wanted her to be present for the opening of California's largest biodiesel and glycerin production facility.

Florez said he was "ecstatic" about the plant's opening in Kern County, especially in a tough economy. He sees the plant as an achievement for the entire state.

"I just think it rounds out Kern County as a true energy provider," Florez said. "This is one of the true clean air projects -- we can utilize this product, this type of fuel, to make breathing easier here in the valley."