Amentis Restarting Keyes Biofuels Plant
OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) -- Aemetis, Inc. is restarting production at the company's 60 million gallon per year ethanol facility in Keyes, Calif., after completion of planned maintenance and preparations for production of advanced biofuel under recent Environmental Protection Agency rulings.
The plant will start up using corn as the principal feedstock, with grain sorghum or a feedstock blend used after startup to maximize operating income, the company said.
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In December 2012, EPA approved use of grain sorghum feedstock along with biogas in a combined heat and power system to produce an advanced biofuel containing approximately 50% lower carbon content than gasoline. Advanced biofuel generates D5 Renewable Identification Numbers that have traded at a premium to traditional ethanol D6 RINs.
Erin McAfee, chairman and CEO of Aemetis, said, "About $5 million of capital investment and new working capital has been invested since mid-January for maintenance and to enable the plant to produce Advanced Biofuel in a flexible configuration that enables the use of multiple feedstocks and energy sources."
McAfee added, "The Keyes plant has sustainable cost advantages in Advanced Biofuels production. The plant's location enables both rail and ocean shipping access to advanced biofuel feedstock from lower-cost supply sources."
(BM/CZ)
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