PLAQUEMINE, La.—Gov. Bobby Jindal andFrank Randazzo, COO of NFRBioEnergy, announced on Monday that the company will makea $312 million capital investment to install bio-refineries at morethan ten sugar refining hubs in South Louisiana, subject tocompleting lease and biomass agreements with sugar mills.

“When we took office in 2008, we targeted key industries wherewe could help existing employers grow and thrive, and that includesour agriculture industry,” said Jindal. “Our sugar cane farmershave used innovation to create a greater product yield throughbreeding techniques, higher-performing equipment and the dailyapplication of their ingenuity. We are proud to have attracted--forthe second time this month--an innovative manufacturer that will besupporting and helping to grow the sugar cane industry here in ourstate.”

NFR BioEnergy will convert sugar-cane waste, known as bagasse,into hardened energy pellets for use as fuel at global powerplants. NFR BioEnergy has begun development of the firstbio-refinery in White Castle, La., where it is co-locating thefacility with the Cora Texas Sugar Mill.