ConAgra scuttles 100 Mgy corn ethanol project in Clovis, New Mexico; cites building costs, ethanol margins

In New Mexico, ConAgra announced that it was canceling its proposed 100 Mgy corn ethanol project in Clovis due to depressed economic conditions and rising building costs. The $200 million project also ran into resident opposition because the plant site bordered the town.

The ConAgra plant  had been scheduled for an additional hearing by the state Environmental Improvement Board. The Environment Department previously approved the plant, but local residents objected to the location of the plant on the edge of town. The EIB ordered the hearing after it was disclosed that notices to residents did not properly disclose the distance from the plant to the town limits. The additional hearing will be held before February.

Clovis has seen significant activity in biofuels development. American Renewable Fuels plans to construct a 75 Mgy biodiesel facility in Clovis Industrial Park, which would commence operation in September 2009. Meanwhile, the 15 Mgy Clovis Biodiesel Plant being built by ARES Blue Sun is expected to open by February 2008. Abengoa operates a 27 Mgy corn ethanol facility in the area which last year it put up for sale, saying it wanted to concentrate on tis larger facilities and cellulosic ethanol developments.

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