What’s called a next-generation ethanol plant will be built in either Story or Webster County by DuPont. The chemical giant chose Iowa over Nebraska this week for the plant. Kristen Hanks, spokewoman for the Iowa Power Fund Board, says the panel has approved the plan for the $235-million project.

Hanks says the contract will be acted upon at the next board meeting on February 9th. “The due diligence is already compeleted,” Hanks says. “We spent a lot of time talking with the company and so, generally speaking, once we reach this stage, there’s good forward momentum and I would expect we will proceed to a contract.”

 The Iowa Power Fund will provide a $9-million grant for the alternative energy project to be built by the DuPont-Danisco Cellulosic Ethanol Company. Hanks says it’s gratifying to see was Iowa chosen for this innovative project, in part, because of adequate raw supplies and transportation connections.

 “Certainly we have a good supply of corn stover feed stock and they’ve looked at some sites that have good rail access,” she says. “We were able to come to terms so hopefully those are the reasons they selected Iowa over Nebraska.”

Fuel will be made at the new ethanol plant -not- from corn, but from biomass like corn cobs, leaves and stalks. Once operating, the plant will employ about 60 workers. Hanks says a final decision on the location won’t be made for several weeks yet.

By Jerry Oster, WNAX, Yankton