First Ohio Ethanol Plant Opens

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today congratulated POET Energy on the grand opening of their newest ethanol plant in Leipsic, Ohio. POET Biorefining - Leipsic will produce 65 million gallons of ethanol per year from more than 22 million bushels of corn from the area.

“This is an historic moment for the state of Ohio, the community of Leipsic, and the U.S. ethanol industry,” said Bob Dinneen, RFA president. “With the recent passage of the energy bill, Congress has put this country on a clear path to greater energy stability. By opening the first commercial-scale ethanol biorefinery in the state, Ohioans and POET are taking a leading role in providing America with a more sustainable alternative to foreign oil. On behalf of the more than 300 member companies of the RFA, I want to congratulate POET Biorefining - Leipsic and the entire Leipsic community on this exciting event.”

POET Biorefining - Leipsic is the first ethanol production facility in the state of Ohio and the 22nd POET production facility. A crowd of more than 3,000 people showed up for the grand opening of POET Biorefining - Leipsic. The facility is the first ethanol plant in the state of Ohio. Speakers at the event included Governor Ted Strickland, Ohio Congressman Bob Latta and Mike Wagner, Executive Director for the Buckeye Renewable Fuels Association.

“The State of Ohio is excited to partner with POET to bring about a transformation in how we as Americans produce and consume energy,” Governor Strickland said. “POET has demonstrated its commitment to expanding an important home-grown energy source. This increased production of ethanol in Ohio replaces millions of barrels of imported oil with domestic renewable energy. It is crucial that Ohio foster advanced, reliable, and affordable energy sources – for our economy, our pocketbooks, and our environment.”