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For Immediate Release -
Global Renewable Receives State Permits for Sharon Ethanol Plant
WHITEWATER, Wis., June 21, 2007 – Global Renewable LLC today announced that it has received the final air and construction permits from the state of Wisconsin for its ethanol plant in Sharon, Wis. The company also announced it has received preliminary approvals for up to $76.6 million in financing for the project. The company anticipates breaking ground at the plant site near the Wisconsin-Illinois border once it secures the remaining financing for the ethanol plant, which it expects to do in the near future.
“Global Renewable has made great progress with our Sharon Ethanol project during the past month, receiving our final air and construction permits, and obtaining preliminary approvals for a significant portion of the project’s financing totaling up to $76.6 million,” said Jeffery P. Knight, director of Global Renewable. “We are excited to begin the final phase of our private equity and senior debt fundraising with the assurance that we have cleared the last major regulatory hurdle to the plant’s construction.”
The village of Sharon Board of Trustees on April 10, 2007, approved a resolution authorizing the sale of $60 million in tax-exempt industrial revenue bonds for the ethanol project. In addition, the village’s Planning Commission has approved the granting of more than $9 million in tax-increment financing for street, rail, electric, gas and other infrastructure improvements required for the plant’s construction. Final approval of the tax-increment financing could be received by mid-August.
Global Renewable also has received a letter of commitment from Alliant Energy for a $7.6-million low-interest loan through its Shared Savings program, which rewards energy-efficient design and operation of commercial facilities like the Sharon Ethanol plant. The company is working to finalize its Shared Savings agreement with Alliant and anticipates that it will be completed in the near future.
“We continue to work hard to ensure that the Sharon Ethanol project will benefit both the community and our investors,” said former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy G. Thompson, chairman of Global Renewable. “The Sharon Ethanol plant is an exciting project that demonstrates Wisconsin’s continued leadership in renewable energy.”
“The strong support of the village of Sharon and the state of Wisconsin has been critical to moving the Sharon Ethanol project forward,” Mr. Knight said. “Wisconsin has created a first-rate climate for the growth of its renewable energy industry.”
The company also said that it will host a public informational meeting in Sharon on Wednesday, July 18. The meeting will be held at the Sharon Village Hall from 5-8 p.m.
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News - Press Release
Sharon Ethanol Appoints Ciciora Operations Director
WHITEWATER, Wis., April 3, 2007—Sharon Ethanol LLC, a subsidiary of Global Renewable LLC,
today announced the appointment of Les Ciciora as the company’s director of operations.
Global Renewable LLC last November unveiled plans to construct and operate an ethanol plant
in Sharon, Wis. The plant is expected to produce up to 120 million gallons of ethanol a year and
should be operational by late 2008. It will create approximately 55 new fulltime jobs and more
than 200 temporary construction jobs.
Mr. Ciciora brings more than 30 years of plant construction, management and
expansion expertise to his new role, including extensive experience in enzyme, ethanol and
other biotechnology related manufacturing. Mr. Ciciora will have day to day responsibility for
the construction, engineering and operation of the $195 million Sharon Ethanol plant.
Mr. Ciciora was most recently the director of project engineering and facilities
maintenance at Martek Biosciences Corp., Winchester, Ky., a world leader in fermentation
based manufacturing. Prior to joining Martek, he was successively production and plant
manager for Enzyme Bio Systems Ltd., a division of CPC International located in Beloit, Wis. Mr.
Ciciora was a research engineer, plant engineer and project manager for CPC before managing
its enzyme production facility in Beloit.
“Sharon Ethanol is pleased to have a professional with Les’ credentials on the team,”
said Jeffery Knight, director of Global Renewable. “Les is a seasoned operations professional
who will ensure that the Sharon Ethanol plant is constructed and run with the utmost attention
to efficiency and quality. His expertise and experience are an important addition to the
highly skilled leadership already in place. With Les’ help, we will move this important project
forward to take advantage of the growing demand for ethanol.”
Mr. Ciciora earned a bachelor’s of science degree from Purdue University and a master’s
of science degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology, both in chemical engineering.
Read More:
Beloit Daily News Article
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