FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota group is planning to build a test plant that would turn sugar beets into ethanol.
Officials with Fargo-based Green Vision Group say the demonstration facility would be built alongside an existing ethanol plant and would cost between $4 million and $6 million. The group hopes to begin operating the plant in 2012.
The process uses so-called dry land or energy beets that are separate from beets grown for human consumption. Researchers involved in the project say the beets can produce twice the amount of ethanol as compared to corn.
Promoters of the project say energy beets are ideal for the North Dakota climate and using them to make ethanol will not impact the food supply.
