Buffalo Biodiesel claims progress on permit

Buffalo Biodiesel Inc., a collector and processor of fats, oils and grease (FOG) based in Buffalo, New York, has resolved recent permitting matters with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC).

The company, which converts collected FOG into fuels, says it now is moving forward with “a clear path toward continued growth and expansion.”

Buffalo Biodiesel says it engaged in constructive discussions with the DEC that have resulted in its ability to continue operating its Tonawanda, New York, facility while it completes a series of environmental and engineering upgrades.

“We appreciate the DEC’s constructive approach and the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to full environmental compliance and continuous improvement,” Buffalo Biodiesel President and CEO Sumit Majumdar says. “This process has strengthened our company, clarified regulatory expectations and positioned us for sustained growth."

Over the past decade, the company says it has developed one of the largest used-oil recycling networks in the U.S. Northeast, serving more than 25,000 restaurants in 15 states.

Buffalo Biodiesel collects FOG, compensates restaurants for the materials, and then processes millions of gallons of used cooking oil annually, diverting material from landfills and sewers and transforming it into renewable biodiesel and other sustainable energy inputs.

The firm's current investment program includes new processing and storage infrastructure, improved monitoring technology and expanded theft-prevention systems designed to protect restaurants and business partners.

“Buffalo Biodiesel was built in Western New York, and we’re proud to keep our operations—and our jobs—right here,” Majumdar says. “We’re not just back on track; we’re accelerating into the future of renewable energy.”

After the meetings with the DEC, Buffalo Biodiesel expects the upgrades underway to increase processing capacity, reduce turnaround times and create additional jobs at the Tonawanda site.

“The lesson from this experience is simple: constructive conversations create progress,” Majumdar says. “We believe New York can be a national leader in renewable fuel production and sustainable waste management, and Buffalo Biodiesel is proud to help drive that vision forward.”