The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced on February 28th a commitment of up to $385 million for six biorefinery projects over the next four years; three of which will be constructed in the Midwest. These biorefineries are expected to produce “more than 130 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol per year.”
As discussed in Chicago Auto Show: Cornfusion, the enthusiasm showered on corn ethanol has been premature and largely unjustified; posing risks not only to the food supply but compromising ecosystems adversely affected by row-crop farming methods. Cellulosic ethanol, on the other hand, has the potential to meet rising energy demands without posing a threat to the world’s already-competitive food supply.
DOE Secretary Samuel W. Bodman remarked that
These biorefineries will play a critical role in helping to bring cellulosic ethanol to market, and teaching us how we can produce it in a more cost effective manner. Ultimately, success in producing inexpensive cellulosic ethanol could be a key to eliminating our nation’s addiction to oil. By relying on American ingenuity and on American farmers for fuel, we will enhance our nation’s energy and economic security.
In addition to proposed sites in Florida, California and Georgia, the three proposed Midwest cellulosic ethanol plants are in:
Kansas
Abengoa Bioenergy Biomass of Kansas LLC, a company based in Chesterfield, Missouri, is investing up to $76 million in the facility. The plant will produce 11.4 million gallons of ethanol annually and enough energy to power the facility, with any excess energy being used to power the adjacent corn dry grind mill. The plant will use 700 tons per day of corn stover, wheat straw, milo stubble, switchgrass, and other feedstocks.
Emmetsburg, Iowa
Broin Companies out of Sioux Falls, South Dakota is developing the $80 million facility.
The plant is in Emmetsburg (Palo Alto County), Iowa, and after expansion, it will produce 125 million gallons of ethanol per year, of which roughly 25percent will be cellulosic ethanol. For feedstock in the production of cellulosic ethanol, the plant expects to use 842 tons per day of corn fiber, cobs, and stalks.
Shelley, Idaho
Iogen Biorefinery Partners LLC of Arlington, Virginia is pouring $80 million into the factory.
The proposed plant will be built in Shelley, Idaho, near Idaho Falls, and will produce 18 million gallons of ethanol annually. The plant will use 700 tons per day of agricultural residues including wheat straw, barley straw, corn stover, switchgrass, and rice straw as feedstocks.
With America’s breadbasket threatening a move north due to global warming, these proposed cellulosic ethanol plants are a sound move. My concern is that in this mad dash to assuage public concern over global warming, the Environmental Protection Agency will not exercise prudent emissions standards for these plants. One thing I hope to see are Chicagoans filling up their automobiles with an energy produced a whole lot closer to home.
