REAP funds corn oil biodiesel plant colocation, 6 flex fuel pumps

Funding awarded through the USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program is supporting several ethanol-related projects. In November, Agricultural Secretary Tom Vilsack announced more than $14 million in funding for a total of 424 projects in 22 states, including six grant awards to support the installation of flexible fuel pumps. 

Also included in the round of awards were five biomass projects, including one that will support the construction of a co-located biodiesel facility at an Illinois ethanol plant. Lena, Ill-based Adkins Energy LLC was awarded $500,000 through REAP for the construction of a 2 MMgy biodiesel plant that will take in corn oil produced at its 48 MMgy ethanol plant as feedstock. The $4.5 million project is expected to begin production in the spring. The biodiesel plant will feature technology developed by WB Services LLC.