Lawmakers Feel Duped By Ethanol Plant Deal

WSMV - TV - Tennessee
Reported By Cara Kumari
POSTED: 3:59 pm CST November 4, 2009
UPDATED: 11:35 pm CST November 4, 2009

$70M In Taxpayer Money Spent On Unsuccessful Plant, Say Lawmakers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Lawmakers said they feel they were duped into spending $70 million of taxpayer money on a plant that isn't living up to its promises.

Video: Lawmakers Feel Duped By DuPont Promises

In 2007, the state Legislature approved spending $70 million to build a cellulosic ethanol plant in east Tennessee. In partnership with DuPont, the plant was supposed to produce 5 million gallons of ethanol a year made from switchgrass.

Lawmakers Wednesday heard what they approved isn't occurring, and they're mad.

"It looks like we've been sold a bill of goods down here in the General Assembly on this plant," said state Rep. Curry Todd.

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