Wisconsin Bio Industry Alliance

In light of these difficult economic times, biodiesel, a renewable fuel which is made right here in Wisconsin, can play a vital role in building up our economy. Here are some facts from a September 2006 LECG, Inc study:

• $13.6 billion – The amount that will be put into the American economy instead of overseas because biodiesel is domestically produced and sold, eliminating the need to import petroleum from other parts of the world.
  
  
• 319,000 jobs – Construction of biodiesel plants employs people in all fields, from architects to pipefitters, providing important jobs in our state. Predictions indicate that 319,000 new jobs will be created by 2015 because of the biodiesel industry.
  
  
• $810 million – The amount spent in 2006 to build production facilities in the United States, providing jobs to people in a number of fields.

A scientist at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has found another use for the distillers grains produced during the ethanol process that helps cut pork producers feed costs. Here are some facts:

• Distillers grains mixed with soybeans are as nutritional a meal for hogs as soybeans alone.
• While soy meal runs $300 per ton, distillers grains cost only $125 per ton, saving hog farmers on their feed costs.

According to a recent story in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a team of researchers has discovered new information which presents huge potential to add in the development of cellulosic ethanol. Here are some facts:

• Madison-based Forest Products Laboratory and a team of researchers have discovered the reason that brown-rot fungi are able to break down wood so effectively.
• The discovery could someday allow scientists to develop better techniques for breaking down biomass – such as wood chips, paper pulp, and switchgrass – and converting it into cellulosic ethanol.