Council Approves Riverwright Ethanol Plant on Waterfront

WIVBTV Buffalo • New York
May 2, 2007 06:09 AM CDT

(Buffalo, NY, May 1, 2007) - - Plans are moving ahead for an ethanol plant on the Buffalo waterfront. The Buffalo Common Council approved the Riverwright Energy plan Tuesday by a vote of 8-1.

The company plans to convert long-idle grain elevators into an ethanol processing plant.

Critics say the plant is not environmentally friendly.

Rick Smith of Riverwright Energy said, "It's the only viable technology out there right now. We're looking together at going, and hopefully it can move into the celluosic and some of the other ethanols."

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown said, "I believe the project should go forward."

brown says the project is subject to environmental review.