Town Hopes for Trash-to-Ethanol Plant, but Frustrations Mount

by Marc Chase (NWI.com) What had been all excitement regarding a possible economic boon for this south Lake County town is turning into some frustration and deflated spirits, according to one Schneider official.

Town Council President Richard Wright said he still believes Powers Energy of America "has a better than 50 percent chance" of building a controversial $280 million plant in Schneider that would transform the county's municipal garbage into ethanol, but uncertainty is beginning to mount.

...But Wright admits continuously missed groundbreaking dates announced by county solid waste officials and the lack of any applications for environmental permits has deflated some spirits.

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District inked a contract with Earl Powers in 2008 to build the plant with a promise of cheaper garbage disposal rates and the ability to turn trash into a fuel alternative instead of disposing of it in a landfill.

...However, company officials have yet to make a formal announcement regarding whether financing has been secured and have refused to identify the entities providing the capital.