POET to discuss cellulosic ethanol, cob harvesting with northwest Iowa farmers

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Cellulosic ethanol and the opportunities it presents for rural resident will be topics of conversation with POET representatives in conferences across northwest Iowa this month and next.

POET’s plan to commercialize cellulosic ethanol by using corn cobs as feedstock will take place first in Emmetsburg, Iowa through Project LIBERTY. From there, POET anticipates installing the technology at other POET plants across Iowa and the Midwest. The technology will also be licensed to other ethanol producers.

The process provides many opportunities for the agriculture community. Harvesting cobs will provide an additional revenue stream for farmers, without requiring them to change their planting practices. Agriculture equipment manufactures are developing a wide range of options for farmers to ensure that harvesting cobs will not significantly slow the harvest and will require little to no additional labor.

Upcoming conferences in which POET will participate include:
- Feb. 16: Alternative Energy Seminar; Sheldon, Iowa
- Feb. 17: Ag Day; Spencer, Iowa
- Feb. 26: Global Ag Conference; Spencer, Iowa
- March 11: Ag Energy Day; Emmetsburg, Iowa

POET recently brought its 20,000 gallon-per-year pilot cellulosic ethanol plant online in Scotland, S.D. To see a documentary about the Scotland plant, visit www.poet.com/cellulosedocumentary.htm.

POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world according to the Renewable Fuels Association, is an established leader in the biorefining industry through project development, design and construction, research and development, plant management, and marketing. The 20-year-old company currently operates 26 production facilities in the United. The company produces and markets more than 1.54 billion gallons of ethanol annually. For more information, go to http://www.poet.com. For information about Project LIBERTY, visit http://www.projectliberty.com.