New Ethanol Plant on Line in Illinois

August 6, 2002

Adkins Energy LLC has completed construction on its plant and began producing ethanol two months ahead of schedule. Adkins Energy is the first farmer-owned ethanol plant to operate in Illinois. Adkins Energy, located outside of Lena, Illinois, includes a co-generation facility to produce steam and electricity for the plant.

The plant will convert more than 13.5 million bushels of corn into approximately 40 million gallons of ethanol and other valuable co-products annually.

"This plant is expected to return 8 to 15 cents additional value for each of the 13.5 million bushels delivered to the plant," said Todd Block, Adkins Energy general manager. "The farmer-owner will also get its share of the operating profits of the plant along with the stock appreciation from the original money invested into the plant. This plant is truly a farmer owned project."

There are currently 64 ethanol plants operating in the United States and 13 plants under construction.