IRVINE, CA - BlueFire Ethanol Fuels announced that the company has changed its name to BlueFire Renewables Inc.

The company uses a patented process to convert cellulosic waste materials to renewable fuel sources, including cellulosic ethanol and biodiesel.

"BlueFire is more than just an ethanol company. We're happy to at last announce the expansion of our capabilities, and feel that this name captures our spirit for innovation and development of cleaner alternatives to fossil fuels," said Arnold Klann, CEO of BlueFire Renewables Inc. "Our goal with this name change is to demonstrate the company's potential to vertically integrate our technology into other areas of renewable energy and help us avoid the confusion with traditional ethanol producers."

BlueFire Renewables is also in the process of developing two cellulosic ethanol facilities in Lancaster, Calif., and Fulton, Miss.

The Lancaster facility, BlueFire's first U.S. commercial plant, will use cellulosic wastes diverted from southern California's landfills to produce approximately 3.9 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol per year.

BlueFire is in the detailed engineering phase for its commercial plant in Fulton, which will produce approximately 19 million gallons of ethanol per year from woody biomass, mill residue, and other cellulosic waste.