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Northwest’s
First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Bound for Oregon
New bio-fuel will come from excess wood chips and wheat stocks
found on Oregon farms and forests
Washington, D.C. – Soon Oregon
drivers will utilize a new fuel that is entirely produced in
Oregon. Last week, it was announced that Boardman will be the
home of the Northwest’s first cellulosic ethanol plant. The
plant will convert local surplus wheat straw and wood chips
that were once wasted into a new clean and renewable fuel
called cellulosic ethanol. Oregon Senator Gordon Smith
secured a $24.3 million grant to help construct the plant
located 25 miles west of Pendleton near the Columbia River.
“What Nebraska is to
corn ethanol, Oregon can be to cellulosic ethanol,” said
Smith. “Excess materials from mills, farms and forests can now
be used to fuel our cars and heat our homes. To have an energy
independent country tomorrow, we must invest in projects like
this today. This plant will offer our state terrific economic
and environmental benefits – stimulating our agriculture and
forestry industries, while providing a clean and 100 percent
home-grown fuel.”
“We greatly appreciate
the support of Senator Smith and the rest of the Oregon
Congressional delegation in securing the DOE grant,” said Neil
Koehler, CEO of Pacific Ethanol. “Pacific Ethanol is
committed to being a leader in developing new methods to
convert a variety of biomass resources into ethanol. Success
in this industry-wide effort to commercialize cellulose to
ethanol technology will allow our country to replace a
significant proportion of imported oil with U.S produced
renewable resources and reduce CO2 emissions by millions of
tons annually, delivering long term value to the economy, the
environment and our shareholders.”
Cellulosic ethanol is
made from cellulose, which is a material found in nearly all
natural, free-growing vegetation. Unlike corn-based ethanol,
cellulosic ethanol does not negatively impact the price of
food or require a massive amount of land to grow the raw
materials. According to the U.S. Department of Energy,
ethanol from cellulose releases 70 percent less emissions than
gasoline. Corn-based ethanol only decreases emissions by 10 to
20 percent.
The federal grant
comes from the U.S. Department of Energy. The $24.3 million
grant will be matched with private investment money from
Pacific Ethanol, Inc resulting in nearly $50 million of
investment. Oregon companies Greenwood Resources and Oregon
Hay Products are projected to supply raw materials to the
plant. It is estimated the plant will open in late 2009. |
