JGP Energy Partners broke ground for four storage tanks at the Port of Beaumont’s Jefferson Energy terminal. Once completed by mid-2017, the tanks will have capacity enough for 550,000 barrels of ethanol, which will be blended with gasoline. The $55-million development is anticipated to increase the revenue for the Port of Beaumont, while helping to diversify its product mix.

JGP Energy Partners is a joint venture between Jefferson Energy Cos. and Green Plains Energy. According to Steve Bleyl with Green Plains, plenty of demand exists for ethanol, especially from India and China. He indicated that the ethanol industry will export about a billion gallons of the fuel additive this year. “We’re 10% of the industry,” he told the Beaumont Enterprise.

Jefferson Energy also plans to develop the northern area of its terminal for more tank storage, as well as an additional area for an international terminal.

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