Medina Ethanol Producer Secures Low-Cost Power — Development: NYPA Approves Boosted Allocation in Support of Plant Expansion.
(Lockport Union-Sun & Journal) Medina-based WNY Energy, an ethanol producer, is among businesses in the Western New York region that will receive hydropower or a cash award through programs of New York Power Authority.
By a Tuesday vote of the NYPA Board of Trustees, WNY Energy was granted a 10-year, 700-kilowatt low-cost hydropower allocation to support the establishment of 10 new jobs and $17.5 million in capital investments including construction of an 8,000-square-foot addition. The company’s expansion timetable projects a 2021 finish date.
WNY Energy has been a NYPA customer since its establishment more than 15 years ago, receiving 5,000 kilowatts in return for a commitment of 40 jobs. Since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the company modified its operations beyond the production of fuel ethanol to produce technical grade ethanol for hand sanitizer and can produce up to 150,000 gallons per day. READ MORE