2nd chance for bio-diesel?

LINDON — Concerns about illegal dumping at a bio-diesel and used oil processing plant in Lindon have been resolved by pouring cement down the drains and firing the dumper.

Now, executives at Indian Oil, the company sitting dormant at 1155 W. 135 South in Lindon are hoping the City Council will give the technology a second chance.

John Taylor, who owns the property and used to be a manager with Indian Oil, came before the Lindon City Planning Commission Wednesday night to get its opinion about selling the land to another bio-diesel producer and regaining the conditional-use permits and zoning specifications.

"A lot of the permitting we've done over the years is for that site," Taylor said. "It's site-specific. The advantage is to come back and say, 'Can we prove to you, show that this next group ... would do a good, clean job?"'

The site has been used as a used-oil processing plant since the mid-1990s, said Lindon City Planning and Zoning Director Adam Cowie.

Taylor recently began pursuing the bio-diesel aspect, for which Lindon granted them permits last February to create the eco-friendly oil.

However, the manager began dumping water mixed with chemicals into the sewer, which was against the conditional-use permit and the law, Taylor said. When plant officials discovered it, they fired the man and his wife and began working with Orem, which processes Lindon's waste water.

Taylor explained that even if the dumping had not occurred, he probably would have shut down the plant anyway to evaluate its machines.

"We found our system is somewhat antiquated," Taylor said. "It wasn't probably the best way to go as far as making a company that could make a cash flow."

So now, rather than pour more money into an outdated Indian Oil, Taylor is hoping to sell the land and make enough to pay off nearly $30,000 in fines from Orem, Lindon and the state. He also wants to see the technology of processing bio-diesel fuel to continue. Bio-diesel is a fuel made from anything grown that can have oil squeezed out of it, such as corn, soybeans, coconut or algae. Used french fry oil is also a candidate.

"I feel pretty good about bio-diesel," said Planning Commission member Matt Bean. "It seems like you've got a property like this, it's a bit unique and I'm trying to figure out what's the best use of the property. There is significant investment there."

Taylor also presented these hopes to the City Council a few weeks ago but was met with more skepticism.

Some members of the council were leery about having a used-oil processing or transfer station but a bit more accepting of a bio-diesel facility, Cowie said.

Planning Commission member Ron Anderson stated there is a "real need for us. We're all using oil in our cars, equipment."

No decision was made, and Taylor has yet to request a hearing before the City Council.

"We have two things here," Taylor said. "Used oil and bio-diesel. I guess I'm asking permission for both. If you feel used oil still cannot be OK, I understand."

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