Imperium Renewables, the parent company of Seattle Biodiesel, is slated to announce later today that it's inking an agreement with the Port of Grays Harbor to build a 100 million-gallon-a-year biodiesel refinery on port property in the Aberdeen area.

According to a company spokesman, the plant would be one of the largest in the country. (By comparison, Seattle Biodiesel's existing refinery makes about 5 million gallons a year.)

According to Sen. Maria Cantwell, the $40 million plant would employ about 50 workers.

The move comes at a time when biodiesel -- derived from vegetable oil -- is in some places cheaper than conventional diesel.

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