Biomass Profile - Missouri

 

Missouri is a logical location for traditional ethanol production facilities that utilize corn. In 2007, Missouri produced approximately 460 million bushels of corn, making it the nation’s ninth largest corn producer.[i]^,[ii] Currently there are four ethanol production facilities in Missouri, possessing a total capacity of approximately 200 million gallons of ethanol annually.[iii] In addition to ethanol production, Missouri is also home to several biodiesel production facilities, amounting to a total capacity of approximately 123 million gallons of biodiesel annually.[iv] Exhibit 1 summarizes current ethanol and biodiesel production facilities in Missouri.

 

Exhibit 1: Current Biofuels Production Capacity in Missouri

Facility	Location	Product	Feedstock	Capacity (million gallons/year)
Golden Triangle Energy, LLC	Craig	Ethanol	Corn	20
Lifeline Foods, LLC	St. Joseph	Ethanol	Corn	40
Mid-Missouri Energy, Inc.	Malta Bend	Ethanol	Corn	45
POET	Laddonia	Ethanol	Corn	50
POET	Macon	Ethanol	Corn	48
AGP	St. Joseph	Biodiesel	Soy	29.9
Global Fuels, LLC	Dexter	Biodiesel	Multi Feedstock	3
Great River Soy Processing Cooperative	Lilbourn	Biodiesel	Soy, Poultry Fat	5
High Hill Biodiesel, Inc.	High Hill	Biodiesel	Multi Feedstock	5
Mid America Biofuels, LLC	Mexico	Biodiesel	Soy	30
Missouri Better Bean	Bunceton	Biodiesel	Multi Feedstock	15
Natural Biodiesel Plant, LLC	Hayti	Biodiesel	Multi Feedstock	5
Prairie Pride, LLC	Deerfield	Biodiesel	Soy	30

 

In January 2008, U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced that DOE will assist in funding four pilot small-scale cellulosic ethanol production facilities. One of these facilities receiving funding will be operated by ICM Incorporated in St. Joseph, Missouri.[v] The facility will be constructed to be approximately 10 percent of the size of a full-scale commercial cellulosic ethanol production facility. The facility will utilize thermochemical and biochemical processes to convert materials such as corn stover, corn fiber, sorghum and switchgrass into ethanol.[vi] The U.S. DOE is committed to contribute up to $30 million to the project. In addition to this project, Dynamotive Energy Systems, Inc. recently announced plans to build the United States’ first fully commercial industrial bio-oil plant in Missouri.[vii]

 

Missouri offers a number of incentives that drive biofuels production. Missouri offers a $0.20 incentive per gallon for the first 12.5 million gallons of ethanol produced using state crops and $0.05 per gallon for the 12.5 million gallons produced after that in each fiscal year. This incentive is scheduled to expire in December 2015.[viii] Missouri offers a similar incentive to biodiesel producers in the state—a grant of $0.30 a gallon for the first 15 million gallons of biodiesel produced and $0.10 for the next 15 million gallons produced each fiscal year. This incentive is scheduled to expire in December 2009.[ix]

 

The state also offers incentives to use biofuels. First and foremost, Missouri implemented a renewable fuels standard, effective January 1, 2008 that required that all fueling stations in Missouri dispense gasoline containing 10percent ethanol.[x] Moreover, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has also endorsed a plan to implement a standard requiring all diesel retails to sell diesel fuel containing at least 5 percent biodiesel by April, 2010.[xi] In addition, school districts are eligible to receive additional payment through the state’s Transportation Aid Payment if the district establishes a contract to purchase blends of B20 or greater from a non-profit, farmer-owned biodiesel production cooperative.[xii]

 

Missouri is also home to a number of alternative fueling stations. Currently, there are 70 fueling stations in Missouri offering E85.[xiii] There are also eight stations that offer biodiesel at the pump.[xiv]