Significant alternative fuel investment in pollution plagued area of Michigan
An energy research park in Alma, Michigan, aims to bring $4 billion in investments and 1,500 jobs to the area, which has been plagued by environmental problems due to pollution from former chemical plants and petroleum refineries. An initial investment of $574,520 by Winter Park, Florida based Sawruk Management Inc. purchased 400 acres of land from the city of Alma, near a former Total Petroleum refinery. The purchase signals the first step in establishing an ethanol plant. Sawruk wants to acquire 2,000 to 3,000 acres to focus on a variety of alternative energy sources and collaborate with Midland, Mi based Dow Chemical Co. While many believe this project will be an economic shot in the arm for the area, the energy park seems abstract to many residents, since the proposal is mostly in the concept stage at this point, even if Sawruk wants to break ground by fall. [Source: The Saginaw News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dave 8:28AM (6/27/2006)
I went to college in Alma and it significantly depressed the area when Total was bought by Exon and the refinery was closed.
This will be a real boon for the area and is another advantage of alternative fuel research.
The old refinery would have just sat there until if became a danger to the community. Now it will not only be cleaned up but much infrastructure can be reused.
Anyone with doubts about the economic benefit of the new energy economy just needs to talk to the residents and students in Alma.
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Glenn A. 1:51PM (6/27/2006)
Let's look at the other fact, here.
We haven't built any new refineries for petroleum products in the United States in 30 years (roughtly).
The Government allowed one oil company to buy up another, and close down a refinery in the United States?
To say that we haven't had an energy policy is to be one of the most idiotic understatments of all time, because we have really gotten outselves into this mess by allowing big-business to do as they pleased.
Hopefully, the future of our energy needs will be taken care of better than the petrochemical industry has done for some 90 to 100 years. But human nature being what it is, greed usually prevails. So I wouldn't hold my breath.
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