Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty was among the dignitaries who attended the groundbreaking for a new ethanol plant at Janesville, Minnesota last Friday.

The 100-million-gallon-a-year plant is being built by US Bioenergy, one of the leading ethanol producers in the country. From a company press release:

“The start of construction on our Janesville plant marks another important milestone in the growth of US BioEnergy. Our team continues to execute our business plan with great success, keeping the company on track to reach its stated goal of 700 million gallons of production by the end of 2008,” stated Gordon Ommen, US BioEnergy’s CEO. “This plant, which will be our first in Minnesota, also further contributes to the geographic diversity of our facilities. We are particularly proud to have Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a national leader on the issue of renewable energy, join us for the occasion and to help create new economic opportunities for the greater-Janesville community.”

“In many ways, Minnesota has been the birthplace of the renewable energy movement and this plant marks another important step along the way,” Governor Pawlenty said. “Utilizing homegrown renewable fuels is good for our farmers, it’s good for rural economic development, it’s good for national security, and it’s good for the environment. We are very fortunate to have resources here in Minnesota and across the Midwest to support this need and visionary companies helping lead the way.”