Pioneer Trail Energy starts
construction in Nebraska

Publication: Ethanol Producer Magazine
August 1, 2006

In May, Pioneer Trail Energy broke ground for its 115 mmgy ethanol facility in Wood River, Neb. This plant is the first of five similarly sized facilities that BioFuel Energy LLC plans to build within the next four years, according to cofounder and COO Dan Simon. BioFuel Energy is the successor company to BioFuel Solutions LLC.

Simon identified several reasons for siting Nebraska’s largest ethanol plant at the location in Wood River. The $135 million facility will be collocated with Cargill Inc. and will lease its nearby elevator. The arrangement provides over 3 million bushels of on-site corn storage, as well as a multiple-unit train-loading facility. Simon highlighted the “exceptional rail infrastructure and highway access” as a key attribute to this site. He added that the abundance of water, electricity, natural gas and land allows for future expansion. The plant will be located on over 122 acres.

At press time, Simon said the company was relocating gas lines, completing site preparation and pouring major foundations. He said that full construction of the facility should commence in the fall.

Simon said he expects the facility to be ready for full-time production in January. After the facility is on line, the company plans to make improvements to the energy system and look into capturing carbon dioxide for marketing.

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