The Wisconsin Office of Energy Independence today announced the publication of the Wisconsin Guide to Building Biofuels Facilities, a handy guide that provides prospective biofuels producers with the regulations, permits, and agency contacts necessary to start up a biofuels plant in Wisconsin.
A PDF version of the guide is available by clicking here.
Permalink + Share ThisDidion Milling, a founding member of the WBIA, is currently building an ethanol plant near Cambria, WI, and their plant is one of several projects featured on the homepage of Ethanol Producer Magazine. The projects are shown on a rotating basis, so for those who don't want to refresh their web browsers to see the plant, here is the information listed on the Ethanol Producer website:
| City, State | Courtland, WI |
| General Contractor | Agra Industries |
| Process Technology | Delta-T Corp. |
| Capacity | 50.0 MMgy |
| Feedstock | corn |
| Ethanol Marketer | undeclared |
| Distillers Grains Marketer | undeclared |
| Carbon Dioxide Marketer | N/A |
| Broke Ground | October 2006 |
| Target Start-Up Date | December 2007 |
| Synopsis of progress | |
| According to Vice President of Operations Dale Drachenberg, one fermentation tank has been erected, the main process building is 90 percent complete, and a high-capacity well has been installed. | |
A picture of the construction is also included, and can be viewed by clicking here.
Permalink + Share ThisMake Wisconsin a Biobelt leader
A Wisconsin State Journal editorial
While critics continue to attack ethanol and other biofuels, Wisconsin should be thankful Gov. Jim Doyle is proceeding full speed ahead to make the state a leader in biofuel development. The latest advancement was last week's announcement that Wisconsin is joining 11 states to form an alliance to promote growth in the biofuels industry.
The North Central Bio Economy Consortium is to coordinate programs and research through the member states' agriculture departments and universities. The aim is to foster a Midwest Biobelt, which will be the heart of the nation's efforts to develop homegrown, renewable fuels that are better for the economy, the environment and national security than imported petroleum-based fuels.
Biofuels are derived from recently living organisms or their byproducts. Ethanol, an alcohol fuel made from crops such as corn, is an example. So is biodiesel, made from soybeans, animal fat or discarded restaurant grease. Biofuels are not magic solutions to America's energy problems. They carry their own set of complications, which detractors have seized upon. But naysayers neglect the bottom line when biofuels are compared to the petroleum-based fuels.
Does America want to continue depending on declining supplies of imported petroleum, which contributes to global warming? Or does America want to develop fuels from homegrown, renewable sources that contribute far less to global warming and that create jobs here security? Wisconsin ought to be in the forefront of biofuel development. The state ranks seventh among states in the production of corn, an ethanol source. But more important, it is rich in wood resources, which hold promise to be even more efficient.
And it is home to UW-Madison, an international leader in the bioresearch. Wisconsin now lags far behind Iowa, Illinois and a handful of other states in ethanol production. But the state's sixth ethanol plant opened last month in Milton. A state-of-the-art biodiesel plant opened this month in DeForest. Wisconsin's entry into the Bio Economy Consortium adds to the momentum. Policy makers, researchers and industry executives should be encouraged to continue the investment.
Permalink + Share ThisMaria Redmond, formerly with the Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection, has now moved to begin working at the Office of Energy Independence. Her new phone number is 608-261-6609. Her e-mail address will remain the same.
For those of you who didn't get to hear the presentation by UW Professor Randy Fortenbery, you can see a complete version on his website at www.aae.wisc.edu/renk. Also on the website is a tool developed by Professor Fortenbery for determining the economic impact of a biofuel plant on a given community.
Permalink + Share ThisSanimax Energy, a founding member of the Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance, began producing biodiesel at its new plant in DeForest on Monday. The facility is the first large-scale biodiesel plant in the state, and will produce 20 million gallons a year when it becomes fully operational. You can read more about the plant in today's story in the Wisconsin State Journal by clicking here.
Permalink + Share ThisIf you are interested in applying for federal funds for rural renewable energy or energy efficiency projects, grant writing and other help is available. Last month the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency loan and grant program announced the availability of $11.4 million in grants and $176.5 million in loan guarantees.
With the first deadline just weeks away, three agencies stand by ready to help with the application process: the Wisconsin Rural Development Office in Stevens Point; Focus on Energy; and the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Focus on Energy can provide general assistance for grant applicants; trouble shoot issues; provide background and lessons learned from previous grants; provide a support letter confirming the environmental benefits of the project as well as other assistance. The Focus on Energy contact is Larry Krom at 888-476-9534. For energy efficiency applications contact Richard Hasselman at 608-273-0182.
Depending on the type of project, DATCP can provide assistance ranging from financial help with business feasibility studies to business plans. A publication on where to go for business assistance in Wisconsin is also available. The DATCP contact is Carl Rainey at 608- 224-5139.
Rural Development can help applicants go through the process; explain the forms; explain what information is needed to increase the applicant's possibility to receive funding. Rural Development will also assist with determining eligibility of applicants as well as the eligibility of the technology they would like to install. The Rural Development contact is Kelley Oehler 715-345-7610.
Applications for grants must be completed and submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office at 4949 Kirschling Court, Stevens Point WI 54481, postmarked no later than May 18. The deadline for submitting loan applications as well as for loan and grant combinations is July 2. More information is available in the March 22 Federal Register or by contacting the Rural Development State Office at 715-345-7610.
Permalink + Share ThisThe Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance is continuously working to raise public awareness of ethanol – what it is and why it's good for consumers, farmers, and Wisconsin as a whole. A recent article in the April 2nd edition of the Wall Street Journal provides an excellent background on ethanol, and we encourage all of those who are interested to read it. You can view the story by clicking here. A subscription to the Wall Street Journal is required.
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