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Many factors have come together to increase inquiries about starting up ethanol and biodiesel production facilities. These factors include rising oil prices, the national energy policy, and an emphasis on energy independence. Maryland’s General Assembly passed a bill this session that adds ethanol and biodiesel to the definition of oil for oil storage tanks. In response to the demand for information on the permitting requirements for these types of facilities, the Maryland Department of the Environment’s (MDE) Permitting and Customer Services Center developed two guides for permits typically required for these industries.
Biodiesel – Nature’s Mix
Biodiesel is made from natural oil sources such as soybeans or other vegetables, even used grease from deep-frying foods. The oil is extracted and then refined through a chemical reaction to remove glycerin. The glycerin is sold as a byproduct and the resulting biodiesel is sold as fuel, either blended with petroleum diesel or on its own. According to the National Biodiesel Board approximately 75 million gallons of biodiesel were sold in the United States in 2005. The Biodiesel Permitting Summary describes the typical MDE permits required for a biodiesel production facility.
Ethanol – It’s Not Just for Martinis Anymore!
Ethanol production facilities are more complicated than biodiesel plants. Ethanol is an alcohol usually produced from grains. The most common starting point is corn, but other sources can be used. This grain is ground, mixed with water, and fermented. The result of the fermentation is then distilled and purified until it is pure ethanol with no water.
More Natural, Less Toxic
The ethanol is then denatured and blended with gasoline as an oxygenate because it raises the oxygen content of gasoline. Oxygen helps gasoline burn more completely, to reduce harmful tailpipe emissions from motor vehicles. Ethanol can be used in place of methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) and that is one reason for its increased popularity. The blend E10 is 10 percent ethanol and 90 percent gasoline. This blend can be used in any gasoline vehicle. Some vehicles are also capable of using E85, which is 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The Ethanol Permitting Summary describes the typical MDE permits required for an ethanol production facility.
On April 24, the Air and Radiation Management Administration issued the first permits for two ethanol plants in Maryland. There are numerous ethanol, biodiesel and other renewable energy projects in the planning stages in Maryland, and MDE has provided permitting and compliance assistance for several of them. The permit fact sheets are one way MDE strives to ensure that its customers are aware and informed of potential requirements as they proceed with planning major renewable energy projects.
If you have any questions on these permitting summaries, please contact Gary Kelman, director of MDE Permitting and Customer Services at (410) 537-4423 or Gary.Kelman@maryland.gov.
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