Groundbreaking Move in Petroleum Birthplace

The state that started the move toward petroleum is now joining the movement to help reduce our nation’s addiction to oil. With the cooperation of the state of Pennsylvania and the full-throated support of Governor Ed Rendell, BioEnergy International is breaking ground on the state’s first ethanol biorefinery.

Located in Clearfield, the facility, once completed, will produce 110 million gallons of ethanol annually. Beginning as a corn-based ethanol production facility, BioEnergy will also conduct onsite research and testing to integrate cellulosic ethanol production technology into its operations. Cellulosic ethanol production is the conversion of nonfood biomass materials such as switchgrass, corn stalks, wood chips and other agricultural waste materials into fuel ethanol.

“It is apropos that the state that gave birth to the petroleum industry is now front and center in our nation’s efforts to reduce our dependence on imported oil,� said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “Led by Governor Rendell and the forward-thinking leaders of the state, Pennsylvania is poised to capitalize on the productivity of its farmers to supply a wide range of feedstocks for an ever-evolving domestic ethanol industry. As a result, rural Pennsylvania will see the kind of economic opportunities witnessed by countless small communities across the country and our nation will be another step closer toward energy self-sufficiency. I congratulate Governor Rendell, the people of Pennsylvania, and BioEnergy International for working constructively together to bring the benefits of ethanol production to mid-Atlantic.�