July 12, 2010
Local Biofuel Plant Pushing For More Ethanol Use
Published in WNEM.com
CARO, Mich. -- Leaders at a local ethanol plant are calling for lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to take action.
POET Biorefining in Caro is urging Congress to pass a policy that encourages ethanol use.
Right now, the government mandates 36 billion gallons of ethanol be blended with gasoline each year. But industry leaders say that's not enough for them to grow.
Now they're asking for open access to the market, starting with an increase from 10 to 15 percent ethanol in fuel blends. They say it's a move that would put the U.S. a step closer to giving up foreign oil.
"We as an industry believe within 20 years we could shut off the pipeline to the Middle East through cellulosic ethanol," said David Gloer, general manager of POET Biorefining.
Cellulosic ethanol is produced from non-edible parts of plants.
More research needs to be done, but Gloer said that research hinges on support from Washington.
Gloer also said with further study, ethanol could be put to use in every car on the road -- even vehicles that weren't designed to run on "flex fuel".
Several studies have shown older vehicles that are non-flex fuel capable can safely run up to a 30-percent ethanol-gasoline blend.
The POET plant....
