Earlier this year, the Louisiana State Bond Commission Board approved the issuance of $120 million in industrial revenue bonds for the construction and operation of the nation's first biomass-to-ethanol plant.

The facility is planned for Jennings, in southwest Louisiana. Construction is scheduled to begin this year and the plant is expected to be fully operational by August 2002. As planned, the facility will utilize sugar cane waste and rice hulls that are abundant in the area.

At least 300 workers will be employed during the construction phase and 70 workers will be needed to operate the plant. An estimated 340,000 dry tons of crop wastes will be used each year. Approximately 20 million gallons of industrial grade ethanol will be produced each year at the plant.