BC International recently announced that the Louisiana State Bond Commission has approved $120 million in industrial revenue bonds for the construction and operation of BCI's biomass-to-ethanol facility in Jennings, Louisiana. "The dream of having a viable, organically-based, domestic fuel source is today one step closer
to reality," said Stephen Gatto, President and CEO of BCI.
The U.S. Department of Energy has made significant investment in the project, which will be the first stand-alone biomass ethanol facility, converting sugar cane bagasse and rice hulls into ethanol. "We're pleased that our early research and development investment has helped to move BC International to the next level," Energy Secretary Bill Richardson said.
Ethanol production is expected to begin in February 2002. The BCI plant will be the first commercially-sized facility to utilize biotechnology that converts agricultural and wood wastes to ethanol and industrial grade alcohol. The plant expects to process 340,000 tons of sugar cane waste and rice hulls a year.
More information on the project can be found at www.bcintlcorp.com/news_feb17_pres.htm
