Today in Biofuels Opinion: “The Great Ethanol Company Extinction of 2009.’

From Farm Futures: “The potential future growth of the corn-starch ethanol industry is at least 45% from current production levels. That’s according to Energy Economist Robert Wisner. But can the industry snap back from the wave of idled plants, losses and bankruptcies? He says three questions raise doubts and the answers could determine the future for today’s corn-based ethanol plants and tomorrow’s cellulosic ethanol. Those questions are: will the EPA raise the maximum blend rate to E-15; will Underwriters Laboratory approve the use of retail pumps with a 15% blend; and will California and EPA re-think their indirect land use calculations?”

From Investopedia: “The Great Ethanol Company Extinction of 2009?. The recent track record for alternative energy investments is not great. One industry that was devastated during the recession and financial crisis was ethanol. In fact, virtually every publicly traded ethanol company has filed for bankruptcy over the last year. This includes VeraSun Energy, which sold its assets at fire sale prices to Valero, a large refinery company. Other ethanol companies to file for bankruptcy protection include Aventine Renewable Energy Holdings and Pacific Ethanol.”

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