CLEARFIELD – The Department of Environmental Protection’s Acting Secretary, John Hanger, paid Clearfield a visit on Monday for a walk-through of the Bionol Clearfield LLC project.
Hanger and other representatives, state Rep. Camille “Bud” George, representatives from the Clearfield Foundation and the media were given a tour of the grounds that included commentary.
Prior to the tour Corinne Young, director of public and government affairs for BioEnergy, thanked George for his leadership. She also noted that the facility is expected to be up and running in early 2010.
“It’s a very impressive facility,” said Hanger. “I’m looking forward to it opening.”
He said that his role has been minimal, noting that George and Gov. Edward G. Rendell led the charge on the project.
“He’s a leader in alternative energy,” Hanger said of Rendell. “This is something the governor is passionate about.”
“Clearfield County is going to get its share because of these people,” said George.
The first stop on the tour was the plant’s water intake facility along the Susquehanna River. Pipes bring in 30 gallons per bushel of corn.
Three concrete pads near the CCEDC building will hold fuel storage tanks, which will be constructed in January.
The seven tower-like objects near the entrance to the job site are evaporators. Fermentation tanks are being worked on. One building still under construction is the distiller’s dried grain building. Those grains will be held in the massive silos, which sit next to the dried grain building.
Bigger silos are under construction. Once the workers begin, pouring for the cement on those silos will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“It’s really a sight to behold,” said Ron Awtry, plant manager.
Awtry, who’s worked on a number of ethanol projects, said he has decided to settle in the Clearfield area and Bionol.
He also said he plans on bringing 50-60 local people on as workers. He said that in his experience, that’s the path to follow.
The $270 million project is slated to produce 108-million-gallons-per-year of ethanol. The project will consist of both a corn-ethanol facility and a cellulosic pilot plant, one of the first in the nation.
Those gathered were also taken to the Clearfield Firemen’s Industrial Park for a tour of the recent work that has been completed there. According to George’s office the Clearfield Foundation is transforming a former strip-mined eyesore to a state-of-the-art site for business and industry. Clearfield Firemen’s Commerce Park already is serving as a major job and industry hub for northcentral Pennsylvania. The park’s 87-acre north parcel is open for business and offers a wide range of businesses amenities. The development of a 91-acre south parcel is well underway and will fulfill the park’s potential as an economic linchpin for Clearfield County.