WASHINGTON, September 27, 2017 - The process of making ethanol results in a great amount of waste, which a recent study claims could bring producers over $2.5 billion. In cooperation with Trestle Energy, Regional Strategic, Ltd. conducted the research in the leading ethanol producing states of Nebraska and Iowa. They found modest infrastructure investments in biomass fuel pellet machinery could turn a combined 24.3 million tons of stalks, stems, and leaves into profitable renewable energy. The resulting pellets can be utilized like wood pellets, which are “cofired” or burned along with coal to produce energy. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions overall and shrinks an ethanol plant’s carbon footprint by upcycling its waste. By 2030, researchers estimate that building just one pellet mill the state of Iowa could generate $43 million in new labor income; contribute $78 million to the state’s gross domestic product; and add $159 million to its economic output.
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