IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, BlueFire Ethanol Fuels, Inc. (OTC BB:BFRE.OB - News), a company changing the world's transportation fuel paradigm through the production of ethanol from non-food cellulosic wastes, announced that the Antelope Valley Air Quality Management District has issued all required Authority to Construct Air Permits for its planned cellulosic ethanol biorefinery in Lancaster, CA. The air permit is comprised of 28 individual permits and is the final environmental permit necessary for BlueFire Ethanol to proceed into final design and construction of its first U.S. commercial cellulosic ethanol plant.

"BlueFire is dedicated to providing cellulosic ethanol for America and ensuring that this ethanol is produced in an environmentally-responsible manner," said Arnold Klann, president and CEO of BlueFire Ethanol. “The Lancaster facility will incorporate the best control technologies available for air emissions and will strictly adhere to BlueFire's commitment to protecting our natural resources."

The Lancaster, CA-based biorefinery will use BlueFire's patented and proven Concentrated Acid Hydrolysis Technology Process to convert cellulosic waste ("Green Waste") into approximately 3.7 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year. Derived from non-foodstock urban, forestry and agricultural residues, this form of ethanol is a completely renewable and highly-economical alternative to gasoline and other types of ethanol.

BlueFire Ethanol selected the Lancaster location because biowaste material, including yard waste, woodchips, grass cuttings and other organic waste, already passes by the property every day while en route to an adjacent landfill. The plant is also designed to use reclaimed water and lignin, a byproduct of the production process, in order to produce its own electricity and steam.

"By locating biorefineries directly in the markets with the highest demand for ethanol, our technology not only provides an economically valuable product using less delivery-related resources, but also helps surrounding cities manage landfill waste – solving two problems for the price of one," added Klann.

BlueFire Ethanol was also awarded $40 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for construction of a second Southern California plant and has received the first installment of funding from the DOE for the development of the BlueFire Mecca, LLC plant.