Biofuels Benchmarking Program ACE endorses the Biofuels Benchmarking program that Christianson & Associates, PLLP (C&A) currently provides to the ethanol industry. The Biofuels Benchmarking program is an analysis tool for ethanol producers designed to improve performance and enhance your bottom line. To learn more about the benefits of the program, visit C&A's website here. Mention your ACE membership and receive a discount on the first year's subscription.
U.S. Ethanol Production U.S. Ethanol Facilities Farmer Owned Ethanol Plants
U.S. Ethanol Production
U.S. ethanol production is reaching unprecedented levels, growing America's ability to supply a portion of its own transportation fuel. Currently there are roughly 180 completed ethanol production facilities in the U.S. and nearly 20 more under construction.
Today, about 40% of the nation's ethanol facilities are owned by farmers and other local investors. These ethanol cooperatives have driven the growth of the industry over the past decade. Today's roster of ethanol plants under construction includes some locally owned projects and some projects from new companies and investors who have joined the ethanol movement.
Corn is the primary feedstock for U.S. ethanol production, and some grain sorghum is also used in some areas outside the main corn-growing region. Ethanol can also be made from a variety of other products, such as wheat, barley, sugar cane or beets, cheese whey, or potatoes.
Ethanol can be made either by the dry-mill or the wet-mill method. Wet-mill facilities were more common in the industry's early days, but today dry-mill ethanol plants far outnumber them and represent the method used by all new ethanol producers. A wet-mill makes a variety of products from corn including ethanol, corn sweeteners, and gluten feed. Dry-mill facilities are dedicated to the production of ethanol and its co-products.
In the coming years, cellulosic feedstocks will also be used for ethanol production. Products like corn stalks, grain straw, rice hulls, sugarcane bagasse, native grasses like switchgrass, wood chips, or even municipal waste can be converted to ethanol. The technology to do so is here today, and research efforts continue to make it more cost-effective so it can reach commercial scale.
U.S. Ethanol Facilities
If you'd like more information on completed projects or facilities under construction, please contact seiesland@ethanol.org.
Farmer Owned Ethanol Plants
Farmers and other local investors often form closed cooperatives or limited liability corporations to raise the equity necessary to build and operate an ethanol plant. Taken together, these locally owned plants represent the single largest producer of ethanol in the country with 40% of the nation's ethanol production.
There are a variety of resources, informational and financial, available for those wishing to join, form, or operate a cooperative venture.
Guides to Developing Ethanol Plants
Guide for Evaluating the Requirements of Ethanol Plants
USDA Rural Development: Business and Cooperative Programs
NDSU's Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives
Five Questions to Ask Before Joining a Cooperative
- Latest News
-
ACE statement on U.S. EPA's proposed Renewable Fuels Standard regulations and Administration's "Growing America's Fuel" report read more
Sioux Falls now is home to a blender pump location read more
All News
What is RSS?