Ethanol plant up and running again

White Energy's plant is once again producing ethanol, after nine months out of action last year following a harsh drought.

The ethanol plant is now functioning and looking to increase in size for future production.

'We have changed management teams, and the new team better understands that the production of ethanol is a biological process rather than a mechanical process,' Don Gales, White Energy President and CEO emphasised. 'We're now financially strong and adequately financed.'

Gales and Lanny Voss, Plainview's local attorney appeared before commissioners on Friday asking for a waiver for missing one of the plant's targets last year, so they can continue to receive its property tax abatement payments.

White Energy's plant signed a 10 year agreement in 2009, stating that its facility would create at least 20 million gallons of ethanol per year.

Last year saw this production drop to 19.1 million gallons, as a result of a nationwide shortage of grain, caused by the harsh drought experienced in Plainview, Texas.

'Even with the drought in 2012 and 2013 which limited the available grain to process, and a few unforeseen delays in getting the plant back up and running, the facility was able to operate one quarter of the year and still come very close to meeting this target,' Voss pointed out.

By February this year, the plant had already produced 16 million gallons of ethanol, and Gales has said that the 20 million gallon target will be met by March 20th.