Officials of the Quinault Indian Nation and Renewable Energy Group, Inc. got together Thursday afternoon to get to know each other better and improve communication. REG is the Iowa-based firm that in the summer of 2015 bought Imperium, one of the companies vying to bring oil to Grays Harbor County.

When REG bought Imperium the Quinault Nation hailed the purchase because REG specializes in renewable biofuels. The company began producing biofuels in 2004, and has become the leading North American producer and marketer of biomass-based diesel and biofuel.

“We felt the purchase helped put an end to the proposal to transport and store crude oil,” said Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation.

The gathering consisted of background briefings, first about the tribe, then about REG, followed by a question and answer period and a tour of the REG facility.

“In addition to a history and culture briefing, the meeting became a backgrounder in biophysics and clean energy economics,” said Sharp. “We believe Grays Harbor is poised and ready to seize tremendous opportunity for growth and economic revitalization. To achieve that collective goal, we must be unified in our efforts and advance together.”