Nebraska Corn Board Honors Midwest Renewable Energy of Sutherland

Thursday, June 21, 2007
Courier-Times (Sutherland, NE)

[click for a larger view]

Courtesy Photo: Jon Holzfaster, Chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board, presents the historic photo of Nebraska’s first ethanol blended fuel station to Troy Gavin, General Manager of Midwest Renewable Energy at Sutherland. The Nebraska Corn Board recognized Midwest Renewable Energy for their Investment and commitment to Nebraska’s economy.

Nebraska Corn Board Chairman, Jon Holzfaster of Paxton, has announced that the Board recently made a presentation to Midwest Renewable Energy of Sutherland to recognize their investment in the Nebraska corn and ethanol industry and their support of Nebraska’s rural economy. At the time of the presentation, the plant was purchasing over 9 million bushels of corn each year, and producing 25 million gallons of ethanol and more than 75,000 tons of distillers’ grains. MRE is also expanding their operation to produce more than 110 million gallons of ethanol. They currently employ 30 people in Lincoln County.

Midwest Renewable Energy was presented the historic photo (shown below) of Nebraska’s first ethanol blended fuel station. The photo was courtesy of the Nebraska Historical Society, and includes Governor Charles Bryan and the Merrick County Sheriff filling their cars with 10% “corn ethanol” at the Earl Coryell fuel station, 13th and N Street, Lincoln, Nebraska in 1933. This was identified as the first fuel station to sell 10% ethanol blended fuel. Ethanol was used as an octane enhancer that was soon replaced by lead. Even though health concerns were identified in the twenties and thirties, leaded fuel was the standard for over fifty years before it was finally banned in 1986.

[click for a larger view]