The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced joint funding with Broin Cos. in the development of a bio-refinery plant that will commercialize cellulosic ethanol technology developed by DuPont. The Emmetsburg, Iowa, facility could begin producing ethanol from corn stover in 2009.

“President Bush has set a goal for the United States to reduce its reliance on petroleum and has asked industry to meet that challenge by bringing to market new energy options,” said Thomas Connelly, DuPont executive vice president and chief innovation officer. “We are appreciative of the Department of Energy’s efforts to accelerate the delivery of cellulosic biofuels to the U.S. market and for continuing its support of DuPont’s cellulosic ethanol technology.”

Broin, the nation’s largest dry mill ethanol producer, will expand a conventional corn dry mill facility in Emmetsburg into a commercial scale bio-refinery designed to utilize advanced technologies to produce ethanol from corn fiber and corn cobs. The expansion will utilize an existing infrastructure with projected costs for the increased capabilities at just over $200 million. The Emmetsburg plant began operations in March 2005 as a dry mill facility designed to produce 50 million gallons per year. Once the expansion is complete, the facility will produce 125 million gallons per year of ethanol from corn and cobs.