IBERIA PARISH, La. (KLFY)-- Delta Biofuel's $100 million sugarcane bagasse plant in Iberia Parish is almost complete, as it looks to sustain renewable energy for the state of Louisiana.

This facility is the first to be used in North America for its use of bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane production. By using a fuel-powered system, it will have the ability to convert the bagasse into over 340,000 metric tons of biomass fuel pellets every year. Phillip Keating, CEO of Delta Biofuel, said the goal of the plant is to remove the bagasse issue.

"Environmentally we will get rid of the bagasse problem for the sugar industry", Keating said. "Then as we move forward we're going to work with the sugar mills and talk about ways to make all of our operations more efficient."

The company is expected to create over 100 jobs in the area, consisting of operators, technicians and logistic personnel. Each person hired is estimated to receive an average salary of $62,500.

Jason Nugent, the plant manager of Delta Biofuel, said this plant will open doors for new opportunities for growth in our economy.

"With a news industry comes exciting opportunities for growth for personnel", Nugent said. "We leverage the oil and gas industry, the carbon black industry and obviously the sugar industry. I think it's good, it's some well needed diversification of the different markets in the area."

Keating said the plan to power the plant in the next 30 to 45 days and will start producing pellets this fall. Delta Biofuel is currently hiring.

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