Ethanol Plant Celebrations

Two RFA members are holding ethanol plant celebrations this week.

Officials with Verenium Corporation is holding a dedication ceremony Thursday for a new demonstration-scale cellulosic ethanol facility in Jennings, Louisiana.

Verenium president Carlos Riva says, “This is a first for the U.S. and as we take the next step toward commercialization, we are breaking new ground and setting new standards for our industry.”

RFA president Bob Dinneen says the opening is significant for the nation. “By opening the first cellulosic ethanol R&D facility, Louisianans and Verenium are taking a leading role in providing America with a more sustainable alternative to increasingly expensive petroleum.

Also on Thursday, VeraSun Energy will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house for its 110 million-gallon-per year biorefinery in Albion, Nebraska.

The plant began operation in October 2007 and VeraSun announced it would acquire the facility from ASAlliances in July 2007. The plant is one of 11 VeraSun ethanol production facilities currently in operation.

According to VeraSun officials, the ribbon cutting, which will be held at the Boone County Fairgrounds, “will focus on the power of partnership™, recognizing those who contributed to the success of project and are leaving a legacy of creating energy diversity and economic benefits for the communities of Boone County.” Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman will be making the keynote address at the event.

“Nebraska’s residents have long understood the economic, environmental and security benefits of a strong domestic ethanol industry, and their legislators have helped set the stage for ethanol and other biofuels to contribute to our nation’s energy security,” said Dinneen.