HomeMy WebLinkAboutLakeshore Advance, 2012-01-18, Page 10WedneSdasic Jirivafy 19, 2011 a Lakeshtxe Marie' 15
Greenfield plan for Hensall ethanol plant still on hold
Cheryl Heath and Susan Hundertmarrk
OMI Agency
Nothing has changed since last January when Greenfield
Ethanol Inc. told the Hensall community that an ethanol plant
chinned for the community has been stalled by the global
\444nancial crisis, said Debra Conlon, media relations with
Greenfield Ethanol.
"We haven't cancelled the project but it's still on the shelf.
And, we're not proceeding in the near future," she said during
a recent phone interview about plans for the ethanol plant
whose groundbreaking ceremony was held with much fanfare
m 2006. The projected start date was 2008.
Conlon said that Hensall is one of several Greenfield proper-
ties being considered as a location for a $50 million bio -based
succinic acid refinery in a partnership with DNP Green Tech-
nology. The partnership, announced last March, will produce
a de-icer made from grain that is less corrosive than traditional
de-icers and could be used by the airline industry.
"Hensall is only one of the properties being contemplated -
there are other competing in Sarnia and in the U.S.," said Con-
lon, who added that a final decision about the location is
expected to be announced this coming summer.
The Municipality of Bluewater is eager to see something
happen with the Hensall site.
Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson reported Greenfield has been
honouring its payments for an approximate $6 -million servic-
ing project, which was undertaken by his municipality to facili-
tate the plant's projected water -and -sewer needs.
Dowson noted while there has been no official word in
recent weeks on plans for the plant, Bluewater is determined
to see something happen with the site.
And, said Dowson, it is paramount that Greenfield contin-
ues to honour its servicing commitment. Otherwise, he said,
the Province of Ontario, which originally pledged $12.5 million
towards the Hensall ethanol project, will be getting a phone
call.
"If they (Greenfield) fail, then the provincial government
should get a lot of pressure," he said, noting Greenfield has
been meeting its monthly obligations.
Still, Bluewater's ability to borrow more funds to take care of
other servicing projects are limited because of the 40 -year debt
load associated with the Greenfield deal, which is now in its
Police Briefs
On January 8, 2011 at approximately 5:30 pm a red Pontiac
Grand Am that was parked on Algonquin Drive in South Huron
was struck by an unknown truck which then fled the scene. The
car suffered severe damage to the driver side and may not be
repairable.
It is believed that the involved truck is either a 2006 Chevrolet
or GMC full sized, silver pickup truck. The unknown vehicle will
have damage to the front passenger side corner which will
include a missing fog light and possibly a headlight on that side.
Any person with information regarding this incident or the
involved vehicle should immediately contact the Huron OPP at
1-888-310-1122 or (519) 524-8314. Any garage that may have
repaired damage fitting this description is also asked to contact
police.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime
Stoppers at 1 -800 -222 -IPS (8477), where you may be eligible to
receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
Two times the limit
On January 11, at around 8:15 p.m., Lambton OPP received a
traffic complaint in 'Medford. Officers located the Jeep on Fran-
klin Street and while spealdng with the driver it was determined
at he had been consuming alcoholic beverages. Subsequent
,e.Esni
is indicated that the male was more than two times the legal
t. A Fifty-one year old Parkhill man will appear in a Sarnia
court on
March 3, 2011 to answer to the charges of Impaired Driving,
Being Over the Legal Limit and Having Open Alcohol in his
vehicle.
third year of repayment,
"It slows us down on ftâşturr projects," said Dowson. "It's not
hurting us on a day-to-day basis,"
Dowson added that plans for the ethanol plant were put on
hold because, according to the company, the bank cut its credit
rating.
Ile wondered if ethanol plant talk may come e to the surface
again if oil prices continue to rise.
"If oil goes to where they're talking about now that is going
to open the door up a little bit wider," said Dowson.
Another bit of insurance for Bluewater, said Dowson, is the
municipality is sitting on a $700,0XX) to $8011,000 credit note for
highway work in 'Wilma
nsall.
Vere not going to give that one tip," said Dowson.
According to News -Record archives, the project was origi-
nally slatted to encompass a $150 -million ethanol plant, the
largest of three bring supported by the province. The company
was to produce 19 -million litres of ethanol annually, and
employ between 60 and 75 people.
An official groundbreaking ceremony, which included the
participation of Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell and Bluewa-
ter Mayor Bill Dowson, was held at the I Iensall site in October
2006. At that event, company vice-president Bliss Baker said a
combination of a welcoming municipality, abundance of corn
and proximity to the Hensall Co-op made for the perfect recipe
to create an ethanol -production facility. Baker also gave thanks
to the province for introducing legislation that would ensure
all gasoline sold in Ontario would contain an average of five
per cent ethanol by 2007, and double to 10 per cent in 2010.
The plant was projected to use 1,600 tonnes of corn each day.
'the Ontario Government later reversed its decision on the
10 per cent ethanol requirement for fuel when concerns were
expressed that the ethanol plant corn requirements were driv-
ing up the cost of food.
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