New POET/Project Liberty Leader Visits Emmetsburg Plant
(by Dan Voigt, Emmetsburg Democrat)

After the selection of Emmetsburg as the site for its new cellulosic ethanol production project earlier this year, officials of POET knew it would take a strong individual to guide the new program, known as Project Liberty. The individual selected for that task visited the POET Biorefinery in Emmetsburg on Tuesday, and likes what he sees in the local facility.

James Sturdevant of Sioux Falls knows all about the world and the challenges it faces, much like the challenges of starting the first commercial cellulosic ethanol program. For nearly 30 years, Sturdevant worked for the United States Geological Survey as an administrator of the Earth Resources Observation and Science Center, or EROS Data Center, northeast of Sioux Falls.

At first look, it might not seem like there are any parallels between running a satellite imaging research center and an ethanol plant, but Sturdevant doesn't agree.

"It seems to be a real natural fit for me," Sturdevant explained. "For 28 years, I've looked at the world through satellite imagery, and seen the effects of global warming and deforestation, and now, to be associated with a new process that will help reduce our energy needs, it just seems to be a logical progression for me."

After leaving the EROS Data Center, Sturdevant admitted he was nervous when he interviewed for the position as director of Project Liberty.

"When I was interviewed by Jeff Broin, he told me he was looking for someone who understood teamwork and was a communicator," Sturdevant said. "He said, 'We park our egos at the door here' and that is so very true. It doesn't matter what position you hold with POET, everyone is welcomed to offer ideas and provide input into programs and projects, and that's why POET has such a record of excellence and are an industry leader. I feel so fortunate to be with an industry leader at such an exciting time in history."

Sturdevant admitted that when he first learned about Project Liberty, he thought it was a great idea, and now that he is deeply involved with the project, his enthusiasm is even greater for the project.

"Project Liberty is going to be one of the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production facilities in the world," Sturdevant said. "The POET Biorefinery in Emmetsburg will make 125 million gallons of ethanol a year, and 25 percent of that will come from non-grain feed stocks. That's an amazing figure and people in the industry are excited about it. Why, I just returned from the Ethanol Fuel Workshop in St. Louis and there were 5,200 registrants. People were talking about Emmetsburg and what we're going to do here."

With the attention of industry drawn towards Project Liberty and Emmetsburg, wouldn't that make a person feel like they were carrying the load of the world on their shoulders?

"I don't feel like the whole load is on my shoulders because POET is all about teamwork," Sturdevant said. "Everyone involved in Project Liberty at POET in Sioux Falls is totally dedicated to this effort. There is wonderful support for the project throughout the entire POET family."

POET officials are currently in discussions with the Department of Energy to finalize arrangements that will lead up to the start of actual construction at the Emmetsburg location. While a set calendar date hasn't been set for the start of construction, Sturdevant says Project Liberty is underway.

"The discussions with the DOE are going very well, but there are actions to complete before we can move dirt," Sturdevant admitted, "but be assured, Project Liberty has started. Project Liberty actually started on February 28 when we learned of our selection for discussions with the Department of Energy."

According to Sturdevant, POET will start the environmental permitting process for the construction at the Emmetsburg location yet this year. Before that permitting could start, POET officials had to purchase more land for the facility. POET recently closed on the purchase of additional land adjacent to the Emmetsburg plant. "With those details in line, we expect to finish our discussions with DOE soon. We're looking at a 30-month construction schedule."

While all these aspects of the project are underway, Sturdevant says there are other phases that are also ongoing. "One of those phases will be testing of collection and storage of the 'feed stock' for the cellulosic process, corn cobs. "With POET recently announcing that we would be using corn cobs for the cellulosic process, POET plans to test methods for cob collection this fall in South Dakota. We also are pleased that farm equipment manufacturers are making modifications that will allow for the harvest of the cobs," Sturdevant said.

Sturdevant knows that the next few months for Project Liberty will be filled full of challenges, but looks forward to the opportunity. "This is such an exciting time for all of us in the POET family, because we're partnering with the U.S. government on one of the most exciting projects in the history of our country, one that can give our nation a great start in reducing our dependence on foreign oil."

With the challenged issued by President George Bush in his State of the Union Address earlier this year, Sturdevant sees Project Liberty as the right answer at the right time. "We have a lot of confidence in the feed stock approach to ethanol. For us at POET, we have a known stock and known suppliers who appear very supportive of what we're trying to do with Project Liberty." Sturdevant continued, "It's clear that corn and corn cobs can't reach all of President Bush's goals, but it's a start, and that first start is going to be here in Emmetsburg with Project Liberty. I can't wait."