U.S. Sugar explores ethanol option

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Florida's proposed buyout of U.S. Sugar Corp. to restore the Everglades has changed as the corporation said it was considering building an ethanol plant.

The proposal to buy U.S. Sugar's entire land holdings, but give the firm time to phase out of business in Florida, has been scaled back to a $1.34 billion deal that allows the company to keep a Clewiston, Fla., sugar mill and its rail line, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Tuesday.

The company is negotiating with Coskata Inc. of Illinois over the possibility of building a 100-million gallon-per-year ethanol production facility.

U.S. Sugar is now pursuing a $2.5 million state grant to help design the plant, the newspaper said.

"It's another step in the process of moving forward and looking at options," U.S. Sugar Senior Vice President Robert Coker said.

"Everglades restoration is important ... but there is common ground that can be found," said Clewiston Mayor Mali Chamness.