May 10, 2010
(Richmond Times) Ethanol plant in Hopewell should be operational by July
The first ethanol plant in Virginia is just weeks from completion.
Appomattox Bio Energy in Hopewell, which will convert barley into ethanol, should be operational by July.
"We'll be putting out some product by the end of July, but we probably won't be putting out any real commercial capacity until sometime in August," said John Warren, director of government relations and project development for Osage Bio Energy.
Osage, based in Henrico County, is developing the country's first major barley-based ethanol and protein feed production facility in Hopewell. Ground was broken on the project in October 2008.
The ethanol will be distributed in local markets and used as a blend in gasoline fuel.
Farmers in the Richmond region will begin harvesting their barley crop this month. As the plant begins ethanol production, it will initially operate at a reduced capacity, Warren said. At full production capacity, the plant will use 30 million bushels of barley a year to produce about 65 million gallons of ethanol.
The plant, which will generate nearly $2 million in tax revenue for Hopewell, ...
