Ethanol: the next generation

by Cara Hetland, Minnesota Public Radio
May 29, 2008

Sioux Falls, S.D. — When farmers harvest their corn crop, some of the plant is left behind. But now, there's a clause in the farm bill that encourages farmers to store and transport the stalks and corn cobs.

The idea, promoted by Sen. John Thune, R-SD, will pay farmers to save the byproducts from their corn fields. The material will go to a new generation of ethanol plants that can use the biomass in new biofuel plants.

The BioMass Crop Assistance Program also offers loan guarantees for investors in the new plants. Thune says it alleviates the chicken and egg problems around new technology.

"To get the farmer to grow energy-dedicated crops, to get investment in bio-refineries, the research is a big component," Thune says, "so we can get to where we can commercialize this. And we hope at least the farm bill with the energy title, will facilitate this."

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