Oakley

[GLC 392]

For the first time i can ever remember the fertilizer place in Oakley has 2 cars sitting in there siding as waiting to be unloaded. Saw the cars last night from 1225.

[JANGAJONGA]

so those would be tank cars?

[GLC 392]

nope hoppers

[JANGAJONGA]

hmmm that would be great if they were a regular customer now. oh and a off topic question for you. are they shutting down the two ethonol plants? i am confused on what is going on with them

[GLC 392]

the only ethonol plant i know of was ithaca but that got stopped dead in its tracks because they ran out of money so it not going to open and so the contraction company is riping out rails for payment.

[AARR]

The Oakley fertilizer place in a good year may get a dozen cars so don't expect to much action there.

The 2nd ethanol place that was proposed was in McBain. But I don't recall if that wwas going to be corn or wood based ethanol. Either way I'm sure it's dead for now.

[ramblerdan]

The second plant is in McBain and is still planned just delayed expected ground breaking is in spring. I will keep board informed of further developments, I'm in a position that is kept up to date.

[AARR]

Thanks ramblerdan. Will it be corn or wood ethanol?

[MDH]

The second plant is in McBain and is still planned just delayed expected ground breaking is in spring. I will keep board informed of further developments, I'm in a position that is kept up to date.

Personally, I'll be amazed if any new ethanol plant anywhere in the country breaks ground in the spring with the way the market for ethanol is now, the surplus capacity in the system, the complete or nearly complete plants sitting bankrupt around the country and the current lending situation. Only way I think it'd happen is some massive new government subsidies (which would be a horrible idea for our country in the long term). That would almost have to come from the feds since the states are all in bad shape themselves...

Keep us informed though - I'll be interested to see if you prove me wrong...

[ramblerdan]

Thanks ramblerdan. Will it be corn or wood ethanol?

planned corn but they are exploring everything keeping track of latest research and technolgy changes, one talk is using corn stalks and ears not actual kernels.

[hobojim]

From my limited reading on the subject the only real economically viable product would be cellulose based where the raw materials are essentially free. The technology for this method of production is still in the developemental stage and no where near commercial readiness.

[AARR]

The technology for this method of production is still in the developemental stage and no where near commercial readiness.

I believe one is under construction in the UP near Kinross. CN will serve it.

[Raildudes dad]

Thanks ramblerdan. Will it be corn or wood ethanol?

planned corn but they are exploring everything keeping track of latest research and technolgy changes, one talk is using corn stalks and ears not actual kernels.

If you look at their website, it's not too current. IMHO, this one will never start construction. Look at the webcam for the one in Watervliet "under construction". As for the one in Ithaca, I sort figured this might happen. They were coming late to the party using local investors money. I was at one of their meetings for the investors (not prospective investors). I stayed in the back and just listened. It sure appeared to me the "Out of town" promoters were going to be the ones that made any money. The guy that flew in to Metro, drove to Ithaca and was going to fly out the next morning was full of a lot of b**l as far as I could tell (I can relate the details in person sometime).

[PAT.C]

IMHO---THE ONLY WAY FOR ETHANOL TO BE A VIABLE FUEL IN THE USA IS TO IMPORT IT FROM BRAZIL.

[GLC 392]

Don that fertilizer place has'nt seen a car in there palce in several years.

[AARR]

Don that fertilizer place has'nt seen a car in there palce in several years.

And prior to that I think it had been a couple years since its last rail service when it received two or three covered hoppers. Most of these small fertilizer places purchase from larger sites like in Arthur or Webberville.