Groundbreaking

Arizona's first ethanol production facility broke ground today in the city of Maricopa. Pinal Energy LLC will create 45 new high-value jobs, and play a major role in reducing carbon monoxide emissions from motor vehicles. This project is significant to Arizona's energy security and air quality,” says Governor Janet Napolitano. “It will reduce our dependence on out-of-state ethanol and will contribute greatly to improving air quality for Arizonans.”

The impact the facility will have on the local economy is substantial as it will create jobs, provide an additional industrial tax base for the city of Maricopa, Pinal county and the state of Arizona and create another market for Arizona’s farmers,” says Mayor Kelly Anderson, City of Maricopa. “The city is encouraged by the corporate commitment Pinal Energy has shown by continuing to meet Maricopa’s standards for safety, trucking routes, site plan, building elevations and landscaping designs.”

In addition to ethanol, Distillers Grain and CO2 (liquefied and dry ice) will be produced at the facility. Both are by-products of ethanol production. The ethanol production facility will be located in the City of Maricopa. Construction is expected to take one year. Ethanol production would begin the first quarter of 2007, with a production rate of 55,000,000 gallons annually.