Rome, NY—Bruce A. Jamerson, Chief Executive Officer of Mascoma Corporation, a leader in advanced low-carbon biofuels, today welcomed New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Paul D. Tonko (representing Governor Eliot Spitzer), Congressman Michael Arcuri, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo, and Mayor James Brown at a groundbreaking ceremony for the company’s $30 million cellulosic ethanol demonstration facility in Rome, NY.

The project is the result of a $14.8 million award from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to build and operate a biomass-to-ethanol demonstration plant.

The plant will focus on demonstrating “cellulose to ethanol” technology and industrial processes.

The facility is expected to operate using a number of New York State agricultural and forest products as biomass feedstock, including wood chips, switchgrass, corn stover and paper sludge.

Paul D. Tonko, President and CEO of NYSERDA, said: "NYSERDA is pleased to have played an important role in bringing Mascoma to New York.

"The work that will take place at this demonstration facility will continue to make New York a leader in clean-energy and alternative-energy research and production.

"We look forward to working with Mascoma as the company takes the important steps towards commercialization.”

"The important work that will be done at this facility may hold the key to solving our nation’s energy and environmental issues and we welcome their investment in Upstate New York’s innovation economy.

"The development and commercialization of cellulosic ethanol is a growth industry for the state of New York," said Congressman Michael Arcuri.

"These are the type of key projects that will continue to drive the revival of the Upstate economy as well as make use of the region’s great labor pool and base of intellectual capital.”

Senator Joseph Griffo said: "This project is a great example of what private enterprise and government can do together, working toward a common goal of potentially solving the nation’s energy problem while creating jobs through economic development.

"With assistance from New York, Mascoma has the potential to develop new technologies to produce cellulosic-based ethanol which will help to make our lives better and contribute to economic growth of our region."

“Cellulosic ethanol will become a commercial reality and the work done at this new facility will dramatically expedite the process,” said Mascoma CEO Bruce A. Jamerson.

“We are excited about the support from New York, and commend New York’s leadership in advancing the cellulosic ethanol market.

"We believe that this plant will demonstrate and improve the technologies we will move into production.”

For more information, call Priscilla Li at 212-508-9659.

See Related Websites/Articles:

• Mascoma Corp.