A Dallas-based firm announced plans this week to build three ethanol plants totaling 300 MMgy of capacity in north-central Iowa. Harvest Biofuels LLC CEO Bob Payne said he expects to start construction on the first project by April 2007.

The first project is slated in Galbraith, Iowa, which is located 10 miles south of Algona. Payne said the project is expected to start-up in June 2008. Vogelbusch is slated to provide process technology for all three projects.

According to Vogelbusch's Web site, a contract is in place with Kensington Industry & Investment for a 908,000 liters-per-day (240,000 gallons-per-day) ethanol facility in Galbraith. A Harvest Biofuels spokesman told EthanolProducer.com that Harvest is a subsidiary of Kensington Industry & Investment.

Houston-based Austin International is slated to build the facility, which will be designed by Fru-Con. Austin provides in-plant maintenance and capital construction serves to the refining and petrochemical industries, according to a release.

Harvest Biofuels is also planning projects in Garner and Gilmore City, Iowa. Payne said construction is expected to begin this year on both plants. Payne also said corn will be supplied through a long-term contract with a major cooperative which has facilities located in several Iowa communities.

Galbraith is located in Kossuth County, which is served by an east/west Iowa, Chicago & Eastern Railroad line. The Union Pacific also has north/south and east/west lines in the county.

Iowa is the nation's largest ethanol producer with 26 plants in operation and 6 more under construction.

Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Ethanol Producer Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.

Posted: 10:56 a.m. CST Friday, January 19, 2007