Governors Coalition Announce Cellulosic Biofuels Industry Has Arrived

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, vice chairman of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition, today called on the nation to recognize the accomplishment of the Poet-DSM Advanced Biofuels cellulosic ethanol plant, and other plants that have now come into production, in helping transform the nation’s energy future.

That future was envisioned by the governors when they worked with Congress and President George W. Bush to launch an ambitious federal research program to deliver cost-effective advanced biofuels, such as cellulosic ethanol. The Coalition helped persuade Congress to pass the first Renewable Fuels Standard over a decade ago, accelerating the move away from imported oil toward domestically produced biofuels.

“The cellulosic ethanol industry has arrived and is an important avenue for adding value to agricultural products and spurring economic and family income growth in rural America,” Governor Branstad said. The Poet-DSM plant will produce as much as 25 million gallons of cellulosic ethanol a year by utilizing corn stover, which offers farmers in the area an additional revenue stream. By removing only 25 percent of the corn stover from the field the soil retains the nutrients needed for sustainable crop production.

“Companies such as Poet and DSM have invested more than $1 billion to build the next generation of ethanol plants that can make biofuels from non-grain feedstocks. In addition, companies like Poet-DSM, Abengoa, DuPont and others have constructed advanced biofuel plants, putting thousands of Americans to work in building these plants,” Governor Branstad remarked.

In just ten years, the public-private partnership envisioned by the governors has provided America with a new industry and positioned the nation as the world leader in biofuels technology. These early facilities will refine the technology, producing cellulosic biofuels on a commercial scale, and will serve as a proving ground as the technology spreads throughout the nation.

“Walking through this complex biorefinery today is inspiring. This plant demonstrates the innovative spirit and technological skill needed to meet the nation’s energy challenge. It’s an important milestone on the nation’s road to clean fuels, diversifying our nation’s energy portfolio, rural economic growth, giving consumers choices at the fuel pump,” Governor Branstad added.