Ask POET Episode 6: Questions from Investors

In the sixth episode of Ask POET, we collected a few of the most common questions that current and prospective investors ask about POET and got the answers from Larry Ward, Senior Vice President of Project Development. Here's episode 6:

Ward referenced the web site poet.com several times. Also, be sure to check out the investors page on our web site for more information.

To learn more about Ward, check out his profile in Vital Magazine.

Ask POET is a monthly program on POET TV where we answer the public's questions about ethanol and the role that we, as the largest producer, play in that industry. If you'd like to ask a question for a future episode, leave a comment below or email your question to askpoet@poet.com.

UN World Water Day

Today is UN World Water Day and while the focus of the 2011 Day is on urban water, it reminded me of the progress POET has made on reducing water use in ethanol production. Just two weeks ago, we announced that we have cut the water intensity of ethanol production from 3 gallons of water per gallon of ethanol to 2.77. Our goal is to get to 2.33 by 2014.

Also, the POET Foundation is supporting the work of Global Health Ministries to bring water and other vital health resources to villages in Nigeria. If you would like to contribute to that important effort, please visit their web site.

POET Biorefining – Cloverdale Grand Opening Tuesday

We’re gearing up for the Grand Opening on Tuesday of POET’s newest ethanol plant, POET Biorefining – Cloverdale (Ind.).

I’m excited to get a chance to see the plant first-hand, because I understand it will be unique from the other plants in POET’s network.

Besides POET Biorefining – Cloverdale, the only ethanol plant POET purchased was the company’s first plant, in Scotland, S.D. in 1987. POET has built its other 25 ethanol plants itself, so the layouts and designs are all very similar.

After purchasing last year the Cloverdale plant, formerly owned by Altra Biofuels, POET began installing a lot of its own proprietary technology, such as BPX, which removes heat from fermentation, and Total Water Recovery, which cuts wastewater discharge. POET engineers found ways to fit the company’s technology into the existing layout. This will be one of the most efficient ethanol plants in the industry.

Plus, with the startup of this plant, Indiana’s ethanol production will be above 1 billion gallons, which has been the state’s goal.

If you’re in the area, we’d love to see you for the grand opening, which will feature a program with speakers including POET CEO Jeff Broin, Indiana Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.

Schedule of events:
9:30 -- 10:45 a.m. Public tours
11:00 a.m. -- noon Speaking program
Noon -- 1:30 p.m. Lunch (free)
12:30 p.m. -- 2:30 p.m. Public tours

 

Technorati Tags: ethanol. grand opening,cloverdale,plants

POET at the Growth Energy Leadership Conference

POET will get together with other ethanol industry stakeholders at the Growth Energy annual leadership conference starts today in Las Vegas. POET CEO Jeff Broin, Senior VP of Public Policy and Corporate Affairs Rob Skjonsberg and Senior VP of Communications Greg Breukelman are all board members of Growth Energy and will speak at the conference.

As the Co-Chair of Growth Energy, Jeff will give the welcome at the start of the conference and particpate in one of the many panels. Rob will be on a panel that talks about what's next for E15 and Greg's panel will talk about American Ethanol's historic new partnership with NASCAR.

Stay tuned to this blog for updates on the conference and POET's participation.

New President for POET

You may have seen today's announcement that Jeff Lautt was named President of POET. Lautt has been with POET since early 2005, most recently serving as the Senior Vice President, Corporate Operations. If you'd like to learn more about Jeff, check out this profile of him in Vital Magazine:

Grace Under Pressure

Jeff Lautt, Executive Vice President of Corporate Operations at POET, is known for his steady leadership and nerves of steel – traits that are essential in managing and growing the nation’s largest ethanol company.

Read the rest of the profile in Vital.