Photo 1 is the site in November 2005. The second is from March 30, 2007.

Both are taken from the top of the grain handling facility next door.

The facility we are constructing is a 130 million liter (34 million gallon) per year ethanol plant. The ethanol is made from fine Canadian grain. The original plant as seen in photo 1 produces about 10 million liters per year. Basically it is a big distillery – in fact the old plant used to be a distillery for Canadian whiskey and vodka.

Before shipping, about 1% petroleum product is added to the alcohol to make it unfit for human consumption and therefore can be transported by truck and rail. If the petroleum was not added, the manufacturer could not ship it. Once the alcohol is taken out of the grain, it is dried and shipped to feed lots as cattle feed.

It’s an interesting place. For those that have made home made beer, you’ll know the smell that comes out of the place as the brew is made. The smell around here varies from stale beer to burnt toast – that one as a result of the drying of the grain and the odd burnt bit.

Here’s where I am stuck for the next couple of days. I can’t wait to get home and see what the mail man brought for chips!