Pence addresses proponents of ethanol plant

By BILL RICHMOND

City editor

Sixth District Congressman Mike Pence (R-Columbus) Wednesday met with a group of business and agricultural leaders interested in establishing an ethanol plant in the East Central Indiana/West Central Ohio area.

The 26-member investment group started looking into the possibility of establishing an ethanol plant in the area last December. The informal meeting with Pence was scheduled so he could update them on the recently approved federal energy bill.

"I see an ethanol plant as a tremendous economic development opportunity for this area," Pence said. "Such a plant would help meet some of the energy needs of the 21st Century."

He said last week's passage of the energy bill will advance the cause of establishing a methanol plant in East Central Indiana.

"I'm interested to hear how we in Indiana and Washington can encourage this program," he said.

Pence said local farmers and businessmen have been ahead of the game in planning for the local plant. He commended them for their vision and said he is impressed with their level of commitment.

Organizers said the proposed 100-million gallon ethanol production facility would provide up to 1,000 jobs in related fields. It could also mean more money for local corn producers.

"The influence on the local economy would be tremendous," Pence said.

Troy Prescott, one of the original members of the investment group, said they hope to break ground for the plant next spring. He said the plant would likely be up and running 14-16 months after construction begins.

Pence said he is encouraged by their progress and the timetable. He said his office stands ready to offer assistance.

"They're going to build them somewhere," he said. "They're going to be boosting local economies somewhere- it might as well be here."

He said the energy bill, which requires 7.5 billion gallons of ethanol be included in the domestic fuel supply by 2012, is expected to drive the construction of ethanol plants across the country. The 2012 objectives are to be met through incentives or mandates. Pence said he's more interested in incentives than mandates

He said the energy bill is a far-reaching reorganization of energy usage across the nation. Besides the ethanol measure, it also promotes nuclear power and oil exploration.

"We're not right now looking at establishing a nuclear plant here in Indiana," Pence said. "But if I could, I would."

He said over the next 5-7 years we may well see several new nuclear plants built across the nation.

He said in order to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, he is also in favor of opening up the Alaskan Wildlife Area for oil exploration.

"I have no doubt we could, in an environmentally responsible way, see what kind of oil reserves we have there," Pence said. "It offers a big potential and it would be too band if we didn't get that done."