An incredible production capacity. Expansive forest resources. A nation-leading poultry industry and university-based research institutions are just a few of the reasons why Arkansas is on the cusp of innovative alternative fuel discoveries. The state's agricultural heritage is deep and diverse. From the east, you will find Arkansas soybean producers, and to the west, Arkansas poultry producers. Companies and universities are working on technologies to lower the delivered cost of energy from these alternative sources.

The ingredients for eventual success are present in Arkansas with many efforts underway to expedite the viability of alternative fuels as a significant energy source. Despite the long-term challenges associated with identifying the eventual winning combination of feedstock and technologies, the state, its companies and its farmers are aggressively pursuing the opportunities. Examples of these assets and efforts include:

State program support

  • Biodiesel plants are eligible for tax incentives depending on the location of the facility, investment and job creation.
  • The Arkansas Alternative Fuels Development Fund includes various grant incentives for alternative fuel producers and feedstock producers for facilities located and operated in Arkansas.
  • The Arkansas Energy Office (AEO), the lead organization in Arkansas for the promotion of energy efficiencies and new technologies, contributes greatly to the state's efforts to incorporate the adoption of renewable energy into its economic development agenda. The AEO is a "one stop" resource for alternative energy and is the link among federal energy policies, market evolution and economic benefits in the state.

Access to ongoing university research

  • The University of Arkansas is performing research on various alternative fuels and transportation logistics to reduce environmental impact.
  • The University of Arkansas at Monticello is performing research on the use of gathering and transporting residue from pine plantations to be used as alternative fuels.
  • The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is conducting research regarding the development of cellulosic ethanol and biofuels.
  • Researchers at Arkansas State University are working to remove obstacles in the commercial production of cellulosic ethanol.

Locally available feedstock

  • Arkansas has about 7.5 million acres of cultivated annual cropland, six million acres of perennial grassland and 18.5 million acres of forests.
  • The state has expansive cultivation land for feed stocks that are commercially viable for biodiesel and ethanol production.
  • Arkansas ranks 10th in the nation in soybean production, with more than three million acres planted each year.
  • Arkansas is not a major producer of corn, but in 2009, Arkansas farmers planted 410,000 acres of corn.

Available and affordable real estate

Quality transportation infrastructure

  • Interstate 40 provides access to markets from North Carolina to California.
  • Interstate 55 intersects Interstate 40 in eastern Arkansas and provides distribution opportunities from New Orleans to St. Louis and Chicago and Canada.
  • Interstate 30 connects Arkansas with markets in Texas and Mexico.
  • The McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System connects Arkansas with Oklahoma and the Mississippi River system.
  • The Mississippi River Navigation System is directly accessible from many Arkansas industrial sites, as well as sites on the Arkansas River for global water access.

Arkansas has demonstrated its commitment to alternative fuels through a progressive set of supportive legislation. The state is focused on working with existing technologies and feed stocks, as well as forging partnerships between its research universities and private companies to find more sustainable and long-term solutions for tomorrow. If you or your company is interested in becoming part of this collaboration, please contact us for more information.