NEWS
RELEASE
United States Department
of Agriculture • Rural Development
3001 Coolidge Rd. • 2nd Floor North • Suite 200 • East Lansing, MI 48823
Phone: (517) 324-5204 • Fax: (517) 324-5225 •
alec.lloyd@mi.usda.gov
Contact: Alec Lloyd
(517) 324-5204
Media Advisory
WHAT: U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan and USDA Rural Development State Director for Michigan James J. Turner will conduct a tour of the cellulosic ethanol pretreatment lab at MBI International.
WHEN: Wednesday, April 20, at 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: MBI International, 3815 Technology Drive, in Lansing.
WHY: A key component in reducing US dependence on foreign oil is the expanded use of ethanol blends. Flexible fuel pumps allow users to select between the standard E10 and E85 blends (containing 10 percent and 85 percent ethanol respectively) as well as intermediate blends of E15, E30 and E50. USDA Rural Development recently announced the availability of $61 million in guaranteed loans and $42 million in grants through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). Merrigan’s visit will highlight ways in which Michigan businesses can apply for assistance in obtaining these types of pumps, reducing the state’s reliance on imported fuel and strengthening the rural economy through the use of locally-produced ethanol feedstocks.
Participants also will receive an update on the latest developments in cellulosic ethanol research.
CONTACT: Alec Lloyd
USDA Rural Development (Michigan)
(517) 324-5204
#
USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).