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Plant opening ‘the tip of the iceberg’
Jeff Broin
The founder and executive chairman of ethanol producer POET, Jeff Broin, calls the grand opening of the company’s first cellulosic ethanol plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa, “the tip of the iceberg”.
“We are witnessing what I believe is the foundation of what will be a complete transformation of our energy supply and our economy,” Broin says. “This transformation from a fossil-based economy to a renewable economy may not be completed during our lifetime, but it will happen. It simply has to.”
Also speaking at the grand opening of POET-DSM’s Project LIBERTY was U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack.
“Now I know there are some skeptics out here who may be asking the question, ‘Is cellulosic ethanol for real—can it be commercially produced?’”, Vilsack says. “Well, I say, ‘Come to Emmetsburg and see this extraordinary facility that’s going to produce 25 million gallons (annually)’.”
Several speakers, including Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, made reference to the EPA’s proposed reduction in the ethanol volume requirements of the Renewable Fuels Standard. Branstad says it has created “unnecessary uncertainty” for both agricultural producers and the biofuels industry.
“This is not the time to backtrack,” Branstad says. “This is the time to continue to move forward with creating new technology. This is the time for us to stand up proudly and support this industry.”
AUDIO: Terry Branstad (1:50 MP3)
Project LIBERTY converts baled corn cobs, leaves, husk and stalk into renewable fuel. POET-DSM plans to license its technology to companies across the U.S. and around the world.
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