East Kansas Agri-Energy (EKAE) is celebrating its 10th anniversary of operations. The Garnett, Kansas ethanol biorefinery is hosting an event on Saturday, August 15th and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) will be onsite to share in the plant’s success along with government and industry officials and featuring a keynote speech from Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kan). Attendees can also tour the facility.
Since opening in 2005, EKAE has produced and sold more than 376 million gallons of ethanol, more than 2 million tons of wet and dried distillers grains animal feed, and nearly 35 million pounds of corn distillers oil. The plant has processed more than 137 million bushels of corn since opening, creating an important new market for local farmers and adding value to East Kansas crops.
Following a plant expansion, EKAE can now produce 48 million gallons of ethanol each year. Construction is also underway for a co-located renewable diesel facility that will convert corn distillers oil into low-carbon advanced biofuel. Other accomplishments include the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifying the ethanol plant as an efficient producer. The EPA determined that the plant’s corn ethanol reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 27.2 percent as compared to petroleum even when the elusive “land use change” calculations are included.
“We’ve come a long way since that first gallon of ethanol in 2005. What started as an idea at a local coffee shop is now a multi-million dollar advanced biofuel refinery,” said EKAE Chairman Bill Pracht. “Our company has evolved to become a leading driver of economic growth in our community, and we’re very proud of that fact. Once our renewable diesel project launches, we will employ more than 50 hard-working men and women at our facility. We’re also proud of our safety record and the fact that we have had no lost-time accidents since day one.”
“The entire EKAE family should be congratulated for this remarkable achievement,” noted RFA Senior Vice President Geoff Cooper. “The EKAE facility has made an indelible mark on the Garnett community, and for that the company’s board, staff, and investors should be very proud. But they should also be proud of the fact that the positive impacts of this plant—including lower gas prices, reduced dependence on foreign oil, and cleaner air—extend well past the borders of Anderson County.”
Jeff Oestmann, EKAE President and CEO, explained that the ethanol plant has experienced a tremendous level of success in an industry that is often known for its unpredictability. “East Kansas Agri-Energy has had an unquestionably positive economic impact on Garnett, helping to revitalize the community by creating demand for local producers and saving consumers cash at the pump.”
But,” continued Oestmann, “while we tout our accomplishments from the past, we must also look to continue our string of success in the future. We are building a company in which we can all be proud of just as much today as we can another 10 years into the future. Here at East Kansas, we strive to thrive, not just survive.”
Cooper also noted that the ethanol industry is celebrating the 10th anniversary of another landmark event this summer—adoption of the original Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in August 2005.
Oestmann, Pracht and Cooper will be among the speakers at Saturday’s event. Also scheduled to speak are: Garnett City Manager Joyce Martin, ICM’s Jeff Scharping, Kansas Corn Growers Association’s Greg Krissek, ReNew Kansas’ Tom Tunnel, American Coalition for Ethanol’s Lacey Dixon, KCOE Isom’s Donna Funk, and WB Services’ Bernie Hoffman.