Minnesota legislators Rod Hamilton, Doug Magnus and Greg Davids visited three area renewable fuel plants last week.

By RAHN LARSON

Southwest Minnesota’s latest ethanol project - Heron Lake BioEnergy - received high marks from three state legislators during a fact-finding visit Friday.

In addition to a stop at the Heron Lake Community Center, the visit included tours of the Ethanol2000 plant in Bingham Lake and Minnesota Soybean Processors plant at Brewster.

The three lawmakers - Minnesota House members Rod Hamilton (Mt. Lake), Doug Magnus (Slayton) and Greg Davids (Preston) - were upbeat about renewable fuel plants and projects, including Heron Lake’s 50-million-gallon plant.

They seemed genuinely interested in the fact that this is the state’s first coal-powered ethanol plant.

"I was curious about some of the coal issues," said Davids, who chairs the House Agriculture and Rural Development Committee. "I love it. I am excited about it."

The plant is awaiting permit approval from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. If that goes smoothly, ground work for the new plant could begin April 15.

The guests marveled at the details provided by Ferguson and Milt McKeown of the plant’s board. For instance, they said the plant will require at least 80 semi-truck loads of corn per day, plus another 15 semi-truck loads of coal per day.

They also pointed out that the plan is to leave 60 percent of the project’s rail spur outside of Heron Lake’s city limits, allowing Weimer Township and Jackson County to capture some of the project’s revenue.

"Smart idea," Davids said. "I like it."

The rail portion of this project has grown some lately. That’s because there are long-range plans to move ethanol and distiller dried grain via 75-car unit trains.

Meanwhile, the ethanol board was updated on some of the bills that could help this project. For instance, Hamilton and Magnus have sponsored a bill that would result in government vehicles burning alternative fuels. Another bill, which Davids supported, would boost the state’s ethanol use from 10 percent to 20 percent per gallon.

"It’s not a bill without perils," Davids said. "There will be quite a few who try to throw a wrench into it. But we will, in some way or another, significantly increase the demand for ethanol, biodiesel and wind power."

As for the Heron Lake ethanol project, which is slated to begin construction this spring (with completion in 2006), Ferguson stressed that this will provide a big lift for the entire region.

"We feel we are a good fit," Ferguson said. "We are on the Highway 60 ag corridor. The plant is being built by a Minnesota-based company and the financial support comes from all in-state residents. Everything we do in this project is brought forth in a state-supported manner. I like that. I think it’s a win-win."