Six ethanol fuel plants are operating in the State of Illinois, with a total capacity of approximately 800 million gallons per year of ethanol. Three plants, representing over 100 million gallons of additional capacity are under construction.  Ethanol production is expected to significantly ramp up because at least 16 states, including California, Illinois, and Connecticut, have adopted bans on the use of the fuel additive MTBE, which is being replaced by ethanol. In August of 2005, President Bush signed into law a Renewable Fuels Standard that is expected to double ethanol production and use by 2012.  Due to the increased price of oil and the elimination of MTBE, ethanol production could reach 15 billion gallons by 2015.  There are currently over 30 ethanol production facilities under development in Illinois with 3 already under construction.

To meet this increasing demand, the State of Illinois wants to help companies build new fuel ethanol plants that are energy efficient, environmentally sound, and of course profitable. With this in mind, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) have developed Building an Ethanol Plant in Illinois.(click link to access the publication)

Anyone interested in building a fuel ethanol plant is encouraged to seek assistance from engineering professionals who have experience with ethanol plant design and permitting. When you are ready to move forward, please schedule a meeting with DCEO and Illinois EPA to learn more about permitting issues and financial incentives that are available contact DCEO at 217-785-3969 or Illinois EPA at 217-558-6818