Some see federal ruling as opportunity to revisit canceling trash-to-ethanol contract

A recent federal ruling paints a picture of the national alternative-fuels scene that closely mirrors what Lake County has experienced for four years in its trash-to-ethanol plan: lots of promises and no results.

EDITORIAL: Trash-to-ethanol is a too-distant dream

The proposed trash-to-ethanol plant has produced little but speculation since the contract between developer Earl Powers and the Lake County Solid Waste Management District board was signed four years ago. Don't expect any jobs to be created in the near future, either.

EDITORIAL: Ethanol proposal continues to sputter

The Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board continues to drag its feet on the dormant trash-to-ethanol proposal, voting last week to give more time to the consortium of region contractors that has talked of buying out developer Earl Powers' stake in this project.

Trash-to-ethanol saga marked by constant change, missed deadlines

With new owners possibly on the horizon for the proposed Schneider trash-to-ethanol plant, some Lake County waste officials say it is the perpetuation of a four-year-old game of musical chairs.

More of the same or new hope in trash-to-ethanol saga?

A few days after Earl Powers pledged to county solid waste officials that financing for the trash-to-ethanol plant was all but locked up, he offered to sell his interest in the project, a Powers' business associate confirmed.

Lake County waste officials to mull termination of Powers contract in executive session

What had been billed as the moment when financiers would potentially endorse Lake County's trash-to-ethanol plan became another in a long line of failures of a would-be developer to produce, some county officials said Thursday.

Powers given another month in quest for trash-to-ethanol plant financing

Powers Energy of America remained in breach of contract with Lake County's solid waste board but was given another month to try to prove it can finance its long proposed trash-to-ethanol plant.

Kill the trash-to-ethanol contract or grant another in a long line of extensions?

Lake County solid waste officials have an opportunity Thursday night either to stand firm on a deadline for a would-be trash-to-ethanol developer to secure financing or grant yet another in a long line of extensions.

Lake Station approves trash-to-ethanol agreement

LAKE STATION | After a lengthy discussion, City Council members agreed Thursday to sign an interlocal cooperation agreement with the Lake County Solid Waste Management District.

Waste official: Clock ticking on trash-to-ethanol deal

If a would-be trash-to-ethanol developer doesn't have the money in hand to complete its project by July 19, it doesn't have a deal with the county, a top solid waste district official says.

Powers passes 1st benchmark

Lake County's trash-to-ethanol saga will continue — at least another 30 days — after solid waste district officials decided developer Earl Powers satisfied two benchmarks toward filling a perceived breach in his contract.

Waste district attorney: Powers holds permission, not blueprints, for trash-to-ethanol

Earl Powers holds a license to use a chemical company's trash-to-ethanol process but has not yet closed on a deal for the blueprints, a Lake County solid waste attorney said.

1,247 days into trash-to-ethanol contract, little to show for it

Lake County Solid Waste Management District Board meets at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Lake County Government Complex in Crown Point to discuss the future of the 1,247-day-old trash-to-ethanol contract, The Times provides a look at the time and some of the events that have come to pass.A timeline…

Most Lake communities claim no commitment to trash-to-ethanol

Municipal support for Lake County's trash-to-ethanol proposal does not appear as strong as proponents of the project have claimed, a Times survey of city and town leaders shows.

60-day clock is ticking on Earl Powers, trash-to-ethanol plan

After three years of waiting for Earl Powers to fulfill his contract of bringing a trash-to-ethanol plant to Lake County, solid waste district officials said Thursday their patience had run out.

Waste district to Powers: Produce results or face possible 'action'

If the company contracted to build Lake County's trash-to-ethanol plant can't show the project is making progress, Lake County solid waste officials "may consider appropriate action."

Trash-to-ethanol financing data denied

The Lake County solid waste district claims it has little or no information a political critic has requested regarding possible financing of the proposed trash-to-ethanol plant.

Former sheriff seeks proof of financing for trash-to-ethanol plant

The former Lake County sheriff is seeking answers regarding the absent financing for a proposed south county trash-to-ethanol plant.

Powers officials claim money is on way for trash-to-ethanol plant

Offering no firm timeline on when money for a proposed trash-to-ethanol plant would be in the bank, a man claiming to be the owner of a Nevada-based hedge fund said he is committed to funding the project.

Solid waste district plans teleconference with possible financing agent for ethanol plant

Lake County solid waste management officials plan to ask questions Wednesday night of a hedge fund chairman regarding potential financing of a controversial trash-to-ethanol plant in Schneider.