U.S. to help Indonesia with biodiesel plant in Sumatra

The U.S. government will help Indonesia build a biodiesel plant from palm oil in Sumatra soon, American Consul in Medan Sean B. Stein said. Stein disclosed the plan in Medan during a visit to the Palmoil Research Center (PPKS) with Reuben Jeffrey, assistant to the Minister of Economy, Energy and Agriculture of the United States and American Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume. Stein said the American government signed a memorandum of understanding with state plantation company PTP III, which develops and manages oil palm plantations in North Sumatra. Stein said no time frame had been set for construction of the plant, but the American government has allocated US$600,000 for the feasibility study. (September 13, 2007)