Valero Takes Over Ethanol Plants
By Pork news staff
| Tuesday, March 24, 2009
VeraSun Energy has selected Valero Renewable Fuels as the successful bidder for several Midwest ethanol production facilities. The announcement was confirmed by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. While the National Corn Growers Association expects most 2008 VeraSun contracts to be voided as a result of the auction, it recommends affected farmers confirm this with their local buyers.
“We know there are still many questions to resolve about the 2008 corn contracts,” said NCGA Chairman Ron Litterer, who is leading an ad-hoc committee of corn farmers to represent the interests of the U.S. corn industry in the VeraSun bankruptcy proceedings. “We are relieved these plants are not being shuttered, and hope that as the economy rebounds improvement will be seen in the ethanol industry and rural America.”
According to VeraSun, Valero was the successful bidder for ethanol production plants in Albion, Neb.; Aurora, S.D.; Albert City, Charles City, Fort Dodge and Hartley, Iowa; and Welcome, Minn. The sale also includes a development site in Reynolds, Ind.
In addition, secured lenders for the remaining facilities submitted successful credit bids. Dougherty Funding, LLC submitted a credit bid for the Marion, S.D. production facility. A group of lenders led by AgStar Financial Services submitted a credit bid for the remaining U.S. BioEnergy Group, which includes ethanol production facilities in Central City and Ord, Neb.; Dyersville, Iowa; Hankinson, N.D.; Janesville, Minn., and Woodbury, Mich. A group of lenders led by West LB AG submitted a credit bid for the remaining ASA Group facilities, consisting of production facilities in Bloomingburg, Ohio and Linden, Ind.
The sales are expected to close in April.
Source: Des Moines Register
