Montana Renewables Announces Timing Update for DOE Loan Facility

Rhea-AI Summary

Calumet (NASDAQ: CLMT) announced a temporary delay in receiving the first tranche of approximately $782 million from the Department of Energy (DOE) loan facility for its Montana Renewables subsidiary. The delay, expected to last days or weeks, is intended to confirm alignment with White House priorities. The loan facility, which closed on January 10, will fund the construction and expansion of the renewable fuels facility in Great Falls, Montana.

According to an economic impact study by the University of Montana, the Great Falls site is projected to support a population of 4,400 Montanans by 2028. The expansion is expected to create 450 construction jobs and up to 40 operations jobs, while fostering regional development in renewable feedstocks and establishing a large-scale SAF industry in Montana and the Pacific Northwest.

Positive

• DOE loan facility of $782 million already approved and closed on January 10
• Project expected to create 450 construction jobs and 40 operations jobs
• Economic impact study projects support for 4,400 Montanans by 2028
• Development will catalyze regional growth in renewable feedstocks and SAF industry

Negative

• Unexpected delay in receiving first tranche of DOE loan funding
• Timeline uncertainty could impact project execution schedule

Insights

Financial Analyst

The announced tactical delay in the $782 million DOE loan facility disbursement represents a short-term setback for Calumet's renewable fuels expansion strategy. While management characterizes this as a brief delay of "days or weeks," investors should understand several key implications:

Financial Impact Analysis:

• Liquidity Position: Calumet's working capital management becomes important during this interim period, particularly if the company has pre-committed to expenditures based on the expected funding date
• Project Timeline Risk: Even a brief delay could create cascading effects on construction schedules and contractor arrangements, potentially impacting the project's economics
• Cost Implications: Any gap between planned and actual funding could result in additional bridge financing needs or schedule-related cost increases

Strategic Context:

• The project's alignment with the administration's priorities appears strong, given its focus on domestic agriculture, energy security and biofuels development
• The economic impact projections (4,400 population support by 2028, 450 construction jobs) strengthen the project's political positioning
• The delay likely represents procedural due diligence rather than fundamental concerns, given the recent Executive Order emphasizing biofuels' importance

Despite the temporary uncertainty, the fundamental case for the project remains robust. The regional development aspects and strategic alignment with national energy policy suggest the delay is more procedural than substantive. However, investors should monitor for any signals of extended review periods or additional requirements that could materially impact the project's timeline and economics.

INDIANAPOLIS, Jan. 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Calumet, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMT) ("Calumet," the "Company," "we," "our" or "us") has been informed by the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") Loan Programs Office ("LPO") that the first tranche of approximately $782 million under the guaranteed loan facility that was previously approved for funding today, January 28, will undergo a tactical delay to confirm alignment with White House priorities.  The loan facility, which closed on January 10, will fund the construction and expansion of the renewable fuels facility in Great Falls, Montana, owned by Montana Renewables, LLC ("Montana Renewables" or "MRL"), an unrestricted subsidiary of Calumet. The Company was informed that the delay should be days or weeks.

"We are well aligned with White House priorities to support domestic agriculture, energy security, technical innovation and energy independence, all of which play a role in the tremendous bipartisan support this loan has received since its inception," said Todd Borgmann, CEO of Calumet.  "The recently issued Executive Order specifically highlights the importance of biofuels to our nation's domestic energy policy and energy independence, and we look forward to a quick review confirming that we are aligned with the Administration's goals."

Regional Development

An economic impact study¹ produced by the University of Montana Bureau of Business and Economic Research (BBER) measured the substantial benefit to Montana in the form of jobs, income, government revenues, economic output and population. For example, by 2028, the economic footprint of the Great Falls site is expected to support a population of 4,400 Montanans, consisting primarily of working-aged families and their children.

MRL expects the expansion to catalyze additional regional development, particularly for renewable feedstocks sourced from farms and ranches. By driving local infrastructure development in transportation, agricultural and energy related businesses similar to the Minnesota SAF Hub, MRL will create a large-scale, end-to-end SAF industry comprised of public and private partners in Montana and the Pacific Northwest. 

The MRL expansion is expected to create 450 construction jobs and up to 40 operations jobs. 

About Montana Renewables
Montana Renewables is a leading renewable fuel company located in Great Falls, Montana. MRL produces Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Renewable Diesel, Renewable Hydrogen and Renewable Naphtha. As the largest SAF producer in North America (2024), MRL is dedicated to meeting the increasing demand for sustainable fuels and to supporting a greener future. As a Great Falls business leader, MRL offers high-paying jobs and career opportunities while supporting the local economy and contributing to the community's overall well-being.  Pacific Northwest farm and ranch operations ultimately provide MRL with sustainable, renewable, low-carbon feedstocks and agricultural byproducts including tallow, distillers corn oil, canola oil, used cooking oil and camelina oil.  These feedstocks are converted to renewable transportation fuels which have lower emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels.  MRL is an unrestricted subsidiary of Calumet, Inc.

About Calumet
Calumet, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMT) manufactures, formulates, and markets a diversified slate of specialty branded products and renewable fuels to customers across a broad range of consumer-facing and industrial markets. Calumet is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and operates twelve facilities throughout North America.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements." The words "will," "may," "intend," "believe," "expect," "outlook," "forecast," "anticipate," "estimate," "continue," "plan," "should," "could," "would," or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. The statements discussed in this press release that are not purely historical data are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the statements regarding (i) our expectations regarding the funding of the loan facility (the "DOE Facility") that MRL received from the DOE LPO, including the timing of any disbursements, length of any delays in funding and the intended use of borrowings under such facility, (ii) our expectation that the DOE Facility will enable MRL to complete the MaxSAF™ construction and that such project will be completed on time and on budget, (iii) our expectation regarding our business outlook and cash flows, including with respect to the Montana Renewables business, and (iv) our ability to meet our financial commitments, debt service obligations, debt instrument covenants, contingencies and anticipated capital expenditures. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effect on us. Our forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond our control) and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations or projections. Known material factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but not limited to: the overall demand for renewable fuels, including SAF and RD; our ability to produce renewable fuel products that meet our customers' unique and precise specifications; the marketing of alternative and competing products; the impact of fluctuations and rapid increases or decreases in renewable fuel margins, including the resulting impact on our liquidity; our ability to comply with financial covenants contained in our debt instruments; labor relations; our access to capital to fund expansions, acquisitions and our working capital needs and our ability to obtain debt or equity financing on satisfactory terms; environmental liabilities or events that are not covered by an indemnity, insurance or existing reserves; maintenance of our credit ratings and ability to receive open credit lines from our suppliers; demand for various feedstocks and resulting changes in pricing conditions; fluctuations in refinery capacity; our ability to access sufficient feedstocks; the effects of competition; continued creditworthiness of, and performance by, counterparties; the impact of current and future laws, rulings and governmental regulations shortages or cost increases of power supplies, natural gas, materials or labor; weather interference with business operations; administration changes in the federal government and potential legislative enactments, executive orders and administrative actions; our ability to access the debt and equity markets; accidents or other unscheduled shutdowns; and general economic, market, business or political conditions, including inflationary pressures, instability in financial institutions, general economic slowdown or a recession, political tensions, conflicts and war (such as the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and their regional and global ramifications).

For additional information regarding factors that could cause our actual results to differ from our projected results, please see our filings with the SEC, including the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of Calumet Specialty Products Partners, L.P. (the "Partnership") and other filings with the SEC by Calumet, Inc. and the Partnership.

We caution that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and you should not rely unduly on them, as they involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that we cannot predict. In addition, we have based many of these forward-looking statements on assumptions about future events that may prove to be inaccurate. While our management considers these assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory and other risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our actual results may differ materially from the future performance that we have expressed or forecast in our forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date they are made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. Certain public statements made by us and our representatives on the date hereof may also contain forward-looking statements, which are qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained above.

¹ https://www.bber.umt.edu/pubs/Econ/Calumet-Impact-Report.pdf

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SOURCE Calumet, Inc.

FAQ

What caused the delay in CLMT's DOE loan funding for Montana Renewables?

The DOE Loan Programs Office initiated a tactical delay to confirm alignment with White House priorities, expected to last days or weeks.

How much is the DOE loan facility worth for CLMT's Montana Renewables project?

The DOE loan facility is worth approximately $782 million for the first tranche.

How many jobs will CLMT's Montana Renewables expansion create?

The expansion is expected to create 450 construction jobs and up to 40 permanent operations jobs.

What is the projected economic impact of CLMT's Montana Renewables facility by 2028?

By 2028, the facility is expected to support a population of 4,400 Montanans, primarily working-aged families and their children.

When did CLMT close the DOE loan facility for Montana Renewables?

The DOE loan facility closed on January 10, 2025.