Wells OK'd for ethanol plant

Wednesday, September 10, 2003
Al Voudrie

The Middle Republican Natural Resources District board of directors unanimously approved two requests for well-drilling variances Tuesday, and another building block fell into place for the ethanol plant proposed near the Perry Elevator west of McCook.

Al Voudrie of Elk River, Minn., president of Southwest Biofuels and Voudrie Business Development Inc., asked MRNRD directors for permission to drill two new water wells, in variance of MRNRD's temporary suspension on drilling new water wells that took effect in June 2002.

Voudrie told directors, "Your approval of our request is one of the very few remaining details needed to complete our development plan."

Southwest Biofuels has obtained zoning variances from Red Willow County commissioners and has met construction and air quality/ emissions standards determined by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Southwest Biofuels projects buying 7-10 million bushels of locally- grown corn per year for conversion into motor-fuel-grade ethanol. The plant will return approximately 30 percent of those bushels as distiller's grain available to local cattle feeders.

Voudrie said he anticipates creating 30-plus plant jobs with a local payroll of approximately $1 million per year.

Voudrie said the plant will initially require one well pumping at least 350-400 gallons per minute. The second well will be used as a back-up, Voudrie said, and a third may be needed to handle plant expansion.

MRNRD Director Dan Smith told Voudrie the permits would be valid for one year. If the plant were to need a third well more than a year from now, a new permit would be required.

Voudrie told directors the plant process recycles all the water back into the system and results in no discharge water.

Director Wayne Madsen made the motion to grant the variances and permits to drill two wells, and the vote was unanimous.

Voudrie was pleased with the vote, reiterating his confidence in the plant's ability to add value to locally-grown corn, create jobs and enhance the local economy.

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