Gevo to Double Ethanol Production in North Dakota

The Colorado-based company plans to add a second facility at its Richardton plant, boosting output to 150 million gallons per year.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 7:53pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a polished stainless steel ethanol fuel canister, a glass beaker filled with a clear liquid, and a handful of golden corn kernels arranged elegantly on a clean, white background, conceptually representing sustainable fuel production and the intersection of agriculture and energy.Gevo's expansion in North Dakota will boost sustainable ethanol production and contribute to the nation's biofuel goals.Richardton Today

Gevo, the company that purchased the former Red Trail Energy ethanol plant in Richardton, North Dakota, announced it will double production capacity at the site. Gevo will add a second ethanol production facility capable of producing up to 75 million gallons per year of low-carbon ethanol, in addition to expanding the existing facility from 67 million gallons per year to 75 million gallons per year.

Why it matters

The expansion highlights North Dakota's position as a pro-agriculture and pro-energy state, making it an attractive location for biofuel companies like Gevo to invest and grow. The project will also increase the state's ethanol production capacity and contribute to the EPA's goal of higher biofuel blending volumes nationwide.

The details

Gevo's new facility will utilize the existing carbon capture and sequestration infrastructure at the Richardton site, which was the first ethanol plant in the country to implement this technology. The expansion will allow Gevo to ramp up production of sustainable aviation fuel, which commands higher prices than conventional ethanol.

  • Gevo announced plans to expand the existing facility from 67 million gallons per year to 75 million gallons per year earlier this year.
  • Gevo will add the second 75 million gallon per year production facility at the Richardton site.

The players

Gevo

A Colorado-based company that purchased the former Red Trail Energy ethanol plant in Richardton, North Dakota.

Paul Bloom

The president of Gevo.

Red Trail Energy

The former owner of the ethanol plant in Richardton, North Dakota, which was the first in the country to capture and store carbon from the ethanol production process.

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What they’re saying

“We already have the core elements in place in North Dakota, including proven carbon capture and sequestration infrastructure.”

— Paul Bloom, President, Gevo

“North Dakota, being a pro-agriculture and pro-energy state, 'is at the top of our list' for expansion opportunities.”

— Paul Bloom, President, Gevo

What’s next

The expansion project will require approval from the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

The takeaway

Gevo's decision to double down on its ethanol production in North Dakota underscores the state's appeal for biofuel companies, thanks to its supportive policies, existing infrastructure, and abundant agricultural resources. This project will boost the state's ethanol output and contribute to national efforts to increase biofuel blending.