MONROE - Badger State Ethanol, Monroe, is still in business and plans to stay in business -contrary to rumors in the area that it is closing.
Gary Kramer, president, CEO and co-founder of Badger State Ethanol, has heard the rumors, and, with a touch of humor, is trying to put them to rest.
"The only problem we're having is keeping up with demand," he said Wednesday, Aug. 8.
Kramer believes the "casual observer," knowing ethanol production's dependence on corn and the rise in corn prices because of the drought, is jumping to conclusions of "gloom and doom."
The rumors could also have been spurred on by a recent, temporary shut-down of the plant's fuel pumps at its Smart Station at 4th Avenue West and 17th Street.
"We had a rush on Friday and ran out," Kramer said. "Every lane was occupied, with some people waiting."
Kramer believes the rush may have lasted through the weekend as Wisconsin saw gas prices rise 33 cents per gallon recently as multiple refinery blips and a pipeline rupture in the state caused gas prices to rise across the Great Lakes region.
The ethanol tank at the Smart Station didn't run out, but rather the gasoline tank; the pumps were bagged with "yellow collars" to alert customers that no more fuel was available. The two tanks lie below the station, and the correct blend is mixed at the pump as it is dispensed. Their fuel levels are automatically monitored.
Based on emails from his gasoline supplier, Kramer said there were 3,500 gallons left at about 7 or 8 a.m. Monday morning, a low quantity but not particularly worrisome for an average day of use. By 10 a.m., Kramer was again notified by his supplier, expressing surprise and stating that a delivery was needed, which would arrive from Rochester, Minn. by 4 or 5 p.m.
Kramer said the Badger State Ethanol plant is running at "full rate" of 57 million gallons a year - or about 160,000 gallons per day.
Nor does it intend to slow down, at least not this year. Some ethanol plants across the county are reportedly slowing down voluntarily as a widespread drought in the county's midsection tightens supplies and pushes corn prices higher.
Badger State Ethanol is in contracts from corn purchases to ethanol sales, which will hold their production steady.
"We were in position long in advance of this (drought)," Kramer said. "We are sourced and sold through the end of the year. We are positioned solidly for sure until the end of the year."
Kramer said the company has "been profitable every month since 2009 in January" when the plant had a fire in a germ drying and bagging processor.
By the end of this year and the current contracts, Badger State Ethanol will "take a look at what opportunities are out there," he said.
Gary Kramer, president, CEO and co-founder of Badger State Ethanol, has heard the rumors, and, with a touch of humor, is trying to put them to rest.
"The only problem we're having is keeping up with demand," he said Wednesday, Aug. 8.
Kramer believes the "casual observer," knowing ethanol production's dependence on corn and the rise in corn prices because of the drought, is jumping to conclusions of "gloom and doom."
The rumors could also have been spurred on by a recent, temporary shut-down of the plant's fuel pumps at its Smart Station at 4th Avenue West and 17th Street.
"We had a rush on Friday and ran out," Kramer said. "Every lane was occupied, with some people waiting."
Kramer believes the rush may have lasted through the weekend as Wisconsin saw gas prices rise 33 cents per gallon recently as multiple refinery blips and a pipeline rupture in the state caused gas prices to rise across the Great Lakes region.
The ethanol tank at the Smart Station didn't run out, but rather the gasoline tank; the pumps were bagged with "yellow collars" to alert customers that no more fuel was available. The two tanks lie below the station, and the correct blend is mixed at the pump as it is dispensed. Their fuel levels are automatically monitored.
Based on emails from his gasoline supplier, Kramer said there were 3,500 gallons left at about 7 or 8 a.m. Monday morning, a low quantity but not particularly worrisome for an average day of use. By 10 a.m., Kramer was again notified by his supplier, expressing surprise and stating that a delivery was needed, which would arrive from Rochester, Minn. by 4 or 5 p.m.
Kramer said the Badger State Ethanol plant is running at "full rate" of 57 million gallons a year - or about 160,000 gallons per day.
Nor does it intend to slow down, at least not this year. Some ethanol plants across the county are reportedly slowing down voluntarily as a widespread drought in the county's midsection tightens supplies and pushes corn prices higher.
Badger State Ethanol is in contracts from corn purchases to ethanol sales, which will hold their production steady.
"We were in position long in advance of this (drought)," Kramer said. "We are sourced and sold through the end of the year. We are positioned solidly for sure until the end of the year."
Kramer said the company has "been profitable every month since 2009 in January" when the plant had a fire in a germ drying and bagging processor.
By the end of this year and the current contracts, Badger State Ethanol will "take a look at what opportunities are out there," he said.