Local Corn Fuels Clearfield County Ethanol Plant

When Pennsylvania’s first ethanol plant begins production next month, chances are the corn-based fuel has its roots in or near Clearfield County.

"BioEnergy International has contracts for 800,000 bushels of corn for delivery by early January to fill its silos," said Rep. Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield). "Virtually all of the initial shipments of corn are from within 100 miles of the Bionol Clearfield facility."

Rep. George said the $270 million facility will require 40 million bushels of corn a year to produce 110 million gallons of ethanol annually.

"Bionol has contracts for more than 1.6 million bushels of corn over the next three months and is actively seeking more," Rep. George said. "Meanwhile, Clearfield County residents will staff the overwhelming majority of jobs at the plant when production begins in a matter of weeks."

Rep. George said Bionol Clearfield procures its corn supply through the Lansing Trade Group.

"Neither Bionol nor Lansing hire truckers directly to ship the corn to the plant," Rep. George said. "However, both companies have expressed a willingness to work with local trucking firms to link them with suppliers when feasible."