BLISSFIELD - State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) today had nothing but praise for the new ethanol plant in Riga Township after touring the new facility, which is expected to be a statewide leader in the up-and-coming renewable fuels industry.
The Midwest Grain Processors - Riga Ethanol Facility, which opens tentatively on Jan. 15, will help drive down fuel costs and reduce Michigan's dependence on foreign oil. The company has already announced plans to double the production capability of the new plant, which will make it by far the largest ethanol producing facility in Michigan.
"This plant will help make Lenawee County and Michigan a leader in renewable fuels," Spade said. "As more and more ethanol-capable cars and stations are produced, this plant will help strengthen our economy and help lower gas prices. The work that this plant will do means that motorists will have an alternative that will save them money at the gas pump."
The open house was held today, Tuesday, August 29, at 4 p.m. at the Midwest Grain Processors - Riga Ethanol Facility located in Riga Township.
Earlier this year, the state, General Motors Corp., Meijer and CleanFUEL USA, a leading maker of E85 dispensing equipment, announced that they were collaborating to build 20 new E85 stations across Michigan, adding to the five stations that are currently in operation. E85 vehicles can run on pure gasoline, or on a blend of up to 15 percent gasoline and 85 percent ethanol, a bio-based fuel made from corn and other agricultural biomass.