POET DSM Advanced Biofuels officials say they’re pausing production of cellulosic ethanol at their Project Liberty plant in Emmetsburg, Iowa. POET’s Senior Vice President of external affairs and communications Kyle Gilly says mismanagement of the Renewable Fuel Standard by the Environmental Protection Agency caused them to take this action.
He says for the past two years, the EPA has cut the incentive for blending cellulosic ethanol.
Gilly says due to those steps taken by the EPA, Project Liberty is now aimed at research and development activities and pausing any of its cellulosic production.
DSM-North American President Hugh Welsh say the Project Liberty joint venture will look at export markets that may be more focused on low carbon fuels such as Europe, South America and possibly China.
Gilly says besides holding back cellulosic ethanol development, the EPA over the past three years has also hindered future agricultural markets for U.S. farmers and undermined what the President promised.
