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Ethanol
plant still looking for just the right spot
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[JUNE 10, 2005]
An Illinois
cooperative association, Illini Bio-Energy, has yet to choose a
location for its coal-fired ethanol production plant. The plant
features near-zero solid wastes, takes Illinois corn and makes
ethanol.
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IBE has been searching central Illinois
for the best location for the plant for several years now. Factors
include transportation access and an ample water supply for
processing. The project needs railroad access and roads capable of
supporting heavy trucks. The Logan County area offers a number of
locations meeting these criteria.
The group has worked at getting all the
right government approvals and financing in line during the search
process. An equity drive opening shares to farmers, which began in
January 2005, was one of the last steps on the timeline before
construction could begin.
The search for the best site
continues, project manager Sarah Wilcox said on Thursday. There are
a lot of factors to consider in a successful plan, she said.
The group has considered a site in
Elkhart that now has an enterprise zone set up for it. They recently
examined a location north of Business 55 bypass along Nicholson
Road.
Someone from a site that was being
looked at a year ago was in the office just last week asking that
IBE look at their site again, she said.
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 They continue to assess all the
potentials, the plusses and minuses and costs of properties. The
company policy is to not say anything until there is paperwork
signed on an option to purchase, Wilcox said. Other new sites, as
well as past sites, are being considered. The company would like to
stay in Logan County if possible.
The process of choosing a site
requires extensive research. Along with transportation and water
needs, the company looks at topography and takes drillings in the
feasibility investigative work. Before they can do some of this work
they have to take out options on the land or get permission of the
owner. While Wilcox would not say just where they are looking, she
did say that they plan to choose a property as soon as possible.
No site has been eliminated, but
"some rise to the top," Wilcox said. With $96 million of other
people's money we want to look at all the potentials, she said.
[Jan
Youngquist]
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