Macomb, IL – While at least 45 ethanol plants have been proposed for Illinois, a researcher suggests that not all of them will actually be built. Roger Brown of the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs tracks the growing importance of ethanol in the state. He says the design work needed may exceed the capacity of engineering firms that are contracted for projects several years in the future. Brown believes in the short-term Illinois growers will be able to meet the need for corn. He says if techniques for making ethanol from cellulose are improved, that could allow Illiois growers to produce 700 gallons of ethanol per acre from corn, cornstalks and the ethanol grain by-product.
Ethanol Plant Shakeout
