Ukiah biodiesel operation wins federal grants to expand

<p>A Ukiah biodiesel operation has received $134,000 in U.S. Agriculture Department grants to expand its facility and increase production of alternative fuels from used vegetable oil.</p><p>The rural development funds were dispersed in the last two months for grant applications made in 2010 and 2011, said Kumar Plocher, chief executive officer and founder of Yokayo Biofuels, Inc.</p><p>Yokayo Biofuels currently produces about 500,000 gallons of biofuel a year, he said. Plocher is hoping to boost production to 1 million gallons within two years.</p>