The POET biorefinery near Chancellor, SD is undergoing an expansion that will increase production capacity from 50 to 100 million gallons per year and more than half of the ethanol plant’s natural gas usage will be replaced by fuel generated from waste.

According to a company release, the expansion includes construction of a solid waste fuel boiler, an alternative energy source that will generate enough steam to produce more than half of the expanded plant’s power needs. Mueller Pallets of Sioux Falls, S.D. will supply woodchip fuel for the boiler.

“The solid waste fuel boiler will allow us to double our production capacity without increasing our natural gas usage,” said Rick Serie, General Manager of POET Biorefining – Chancellor. “We’ll be reducing our operating costs by using a green fuel source to produce a domestic, green transportation fuel for America.”

POET Biorefining – Chancellor started operations in March, 2003.