Despite challenging economic times affecting both operating and proposed plants, five were recently able to complete their respective projects on schedule.

Cardinal Ethanol LLC officially started production at its 100 MMgy corn-based ethanol plant in Union City, Ind., in early November. Built and designed by Fagen Inc. and ICM Inc., the $150 million facility will take in approximately 36 million bushels of local corn annually. The facility is Indiana's 12th ethanol plant to come on line. The state is the fifth-largest ethanol producer with a total annual capacity of approximately 1.1 billion gallons.

Ethanol Grain Processors LLC, owned by Green Plains Renewable Energy Inc., officially started up its 110 MMgy plant in Obion, Tenn., in late November. The facility is projected to produce approximately 350,000 tons of distillers dried grains per year. Green Plains Renewable Energy acquired the plant in August via a merger agreement secured with VBV LLC, giving it a combined production capacity of 330 MMgy.

Cilion Inc. completed construction of its 55 MMgy corn-based ethanol plant in Keyes, Calif., in November, as well.
Hawkeye Renewables started up its two 110 MMgy ethanol plants in Shell Rock and Menlo, Iowa, in late October, increasing the company's combined production capacity—all in Iowa—to 435 MMgy.

Two plants were added to this month's list. Abengoa Bioenergy Corp. began preliminary construction of two 88 MMgy plants in Posey County, Ind., and Madison, Ill. The company confirmed that both projects are fully permitted and funded. General contractors were expected to arrive on-site in late November.