Nebraska firm says utilities can burn corn pellets to meet renewable fuel standards

Nebraska firm tries to get utilities to burn corn

OMAHA, Neb. — A Nebraska company is trying to persuade utilities to try burning its corn pellets instead of coal to help meet renewable fuel goals.

Next Step Biofuels’ Russ Zeeck says the corn pellets his company makes burn like coal, but they are made out of corn stalks, leafs and cobs left behind after harvest.

Zeeck says Next Step is in talks with several utilities about using the corn pellets starting sometime in 2010.

Coal-fired power plants can burn the corn pellets along with coal, and that makes it easier for a utility to use a renewable biomass fuel at its existing plant.