Pocono News Section

Wayne County Ethanol Plant Closer to Reality

Wayne County Ethanol Plant Closer to Reality - Monday, July 14, 2008 at 7:54PM EST

Reported by: Eric Deabill
Monday, Jul 14, 2008 @ 07:54pm EST
TEXAS TOWNSHIP, WAYNE COUNTY - After four years of debate, plans to build an ethanol plant in Wayne County have taken a major step forward. A group of investors will buy 90 acres of land Tuesday morning for the facility. The group that wants to build the ethanol plant, Indian Orchard Renewable Energy LLC, will pay $850,000 for the property.

"We're looking at a tomorrow that would be a little bit greener, so we can pass it down to our children and keep the community clean," Dave Williams said.

Williams is with the group of investors. He says the plant would turn corn and even things like switchgrass into usable fuels. For the last three months, developers have been looking at the site to make sure it's safe. They just got the all clear.

"There are no environmental concerns, historic structures or historic sites on the sight that would proclude this project or any other project," engineering manager David Osborne said.

When completed, the ethanol plant would cost a total of $145 million dollars. If all goes according to plan, it could be up and running by 2010.

Officials say the plant would have a big impact on Wayne/Pike Counties. It would create 45 jobs at first. That number would increase to 375 by 2017. The plant would also pump $140 million into the economy over the next ten years.