WASHINGTON, DC — Growth Energy plant member Siouxland Energy has taken a key first step in producing second generation biofuels at its plant in Sioux Center, Iowa, receiving Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval on its registration to produce cellulosic ethanol. Siouxland Energy will use pathway technology from Edeniq, a Growth Energy associate member, to produce cellulosic ethanol from corn fiber as opposed to the corn kernel.
Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor praised Siouxland Energy’s decision.
“This is an example of the innovative initiative that Growth Energy is so proud to have in our membership,” Skor said.
“Siouxland Energy is a 60 million gallon per year plant in Iowa that was looking to expand into the cellulosic space. So, they went out, linked up with Edeniq, and made it happen. Now they’re going to be making cellulosic ethanol in addition to the cleaner burning, high-octane fuel they’re already producing. This is a shining example of the inextricable link between first and second generation biofuels. It is critically important that we have sound policies in place, like the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), that provide the certainty needed for plants like Siouxland Energy to invest in cellulosic technology. Ethanol today reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 43 percent, and as technology advances, those reductions will grow. I am energized every day by what the future holds for this industry.”
Tom Miller, commodity manager at Siouxland Energy, spoke about the transformative significance of the facility’s new forward-looking program.
“We have been looking for a way to add some more value to the plant,” Miller said.
“We found Edeniq and found that they were doing cellulosic out of corn fiber, so that’s how we started the process. We applied with EPA, got approval, and it looks like it’s going to add a good amount of net income to the plant. But not only that, it makes us a greener plant, which is important to us, and could add even more value through California gallons down the road.”
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