54 Mgy ethanol plant closing in on launch announcement in North Carolina ; targets MTBE, not gasoline

In North Carolina, Beaufort County officials said that negotiations are underway for the purchase of a 200-acre site near Aurora for a 54 Mgy ethanol plant. The plant, which has been proposed at a 108 Mgy capacity but has yet to secure financing, is promoting ethanol as a substitute for MTBE rather than gasoline, MTBE, used as an oxidizer, was found to be contaminating groundwater at near-toxic levels.

In North Carolina, the new Biofuels Center of North Carolina held its first meeting yesterday, and set a goal of eliminating the state’s dependence on 5.6 billion gallons of imported fuels by as soon as 2018. The Biofuels Center will identify next-generation crops and processes for biofuels, building on the advantages provided by North Carolina’s robust $60 billion agriculture industry platform.

North Carolina continues to position itself for US biofuels leadership through research into advanced feedstocks. In September, the General Assembly appropriated $5 million for a state biofuels center in Oxford. The center will research cellulosic ethanol. North Carolina’s Strategic Plan for Biofuels Leadership called for $25 million in biofuels research funding as well as an annual appropriation of $500,000 to fund biofuels workforce development and public education programs.

Among Tarheel State biofuel research and education initiatives, the Central Carolina Community College will offer a two-year, biofuels associate degree program. The Alternative Energy Technology: Biofuels program and related certificates will commence in fall 2008. Courses will include biofuels analytics, biofuels waste management, renewable energy technology, chemistry, electrical control systems, welding, bioprocessing practices, and small business development.

Local producers and officials say they are confident of reaching the 10% state biofuel mandate for 2017 without experiencing the distribution problems encountered in the Midwest. The state’s focus on biodiesel production, which can be shipped using existing fuel pipelines, was a positive factor cited in meeting the state’s production and consumption goals.

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Biofuels Center of North Carolina awards more than $850,000 for cellulosic ethanol, feedstock projects

In North Carolina, the Biofuels Center of North Carolina awarded more than $850,000 to the University of North Carolina and North Carolina State University for projects related to improved cellulosic ...

Jatropha pioneer SG Biofuels and Biofuels Center of North Carolina add to team

In California and North Carolina, low-cost jatropha oil developer SG Biofuels and the Biofuels Center of North Carolina strengthened their respective teams. SG announced that former DOE Energy Efficie...

Proposed 30 Mgy ICB biodiesel plant in North Carolina signs 3-year deal for all its fuel

In North Carolina, the proposed 30 Mgy International Coastal Biofuels biodiesel plant in Wilmington has received a a letter of intent from Eco-Energy for the purchase of its entire biodiesel output fo...

American Petroleum Institute and NPRA sue to block NC law that would permit local retailers to blend ethanol

In North Carolina, the American Petroleum Institute and the National Petrochemical and Refiner's Association filed suit in US District Court to overturn the North Carolina Blending Act, which requires...

Clean Burn Fuels to commence construction of 75 Mgy corn ethanol plant in Raeford, North Carolina

In North Carolina, construction is set to commence at a 75 Mgy corn ethanol plant at Raeford owned by Clean Burn Fuels. The plant has received 10 year county tax abatement and a $35 million loan guara...

North Carolina biofuel meltdown as all but two development projects closed down

In North Carolina, only two biofuel projects are still moving forward after a series of cancellations due to financing issues have stymied North Carolina's drive for biofuels leadership. The Clean Bur...