News Releases for March 2006
March 17, 2006
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Hoeven, GRE, Headwaters Break Ground for Blue Flint Ethanol Plant in Underwood
UNDERWOOD, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today, along with CEO Dave Saggau and Chairman Henry Hanson of Great River Energy and CEO Kirk Benson of Headwaters, Inc., broke ground for the companies’ new Blue Flint ethanol plant at Coal Creek Station in Underwood. The project reflects a partnership that will use affordable North Dakota coal to convert North Dakota corn into renewable fuel.
The $85 million facility will employ 250 to 300 workers during the construction phase, and 37 full-time employees when fully operational in the first quarter of 2007. The plant will use 18 million bushels of corn annually, and produce enough feedstock as a byproduct of the ethanol-making process to feed 225,000 head of cattle. The facility and allied commercial activity will have a total economic impact on the area of $160 million, according to Hoeven.
"Within just the last twelve months, we have announced three new ethanol plants and a large biodiesel facility in North Dakota,” Hoeven said. “Our strong incentives for biodiesel and value-added agriculture and aggressive marketing of the state’s energy potential are getting results, and we are working on more new projects."
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