White House science advisor visits Diamond Green Diesel

Darling Ingredients Inc. announced Dec. 16 that it hosted Eric S. Lander, President Biden’s science advisor and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology, at its joint-venture renewable diesel facility, Diamond Green Diesel, in Norco, Louisiana. The goal of Lander’s visit was to learn more about the emerging sustainable-energy industry and its supporting infrastructure. Lander was accompanied by Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards for the tour and discussion.

Lander was shown the process of converting fats into a renewable diesel fuel and how it fits into the catalogue of sustainable solutions that improve the environment and human health. Lander toured the facility to see the process in action and met the team responsible for the day-to-day operations. Lander talked to employees about the path they took to the field of sustainable fuel to better understand the future workforce needs of such growing operations.

“It was a pleasure to talk with Dr. Lander about the work we are doing here at DGD,” said Sandra Dudley, an executive with Darling Ingredients. “His expertise in a variety of disciplines and interest in a more sustainable America speaks volumes about the future of renewable fuels in this country.”

On the tour, Lander saw DGD’s recently completed 400-million-gallon expansion—DGD 2—which brings total renewable diesel capacity to 690 million gallons. Construction on DGD 3 in Port Arthur, Texas, is scheduled for a 2023 completion, which will bring DGD renewable diesel production to almost 1.2 billion gallons.