Wisconsin's once-promising ethanol industry seems to be in the tank, at least for now.
The state's largest ethanol plant in Jefferson has filed for bankruptcy and plans for at least a half-dozen others have been shelved.
Paul Zimmermann of the Wisconsin Farm Bureau says it's another sign of the troubled economy. Zimmermann says many ethanol plants have had difficulty turning a profit. Lower demand and dropping prices for oil are also seen as a major factor.
Still, Zimmermann expects a turnaround in the future. He says we're going to have an increased need for renewable energy and ethanol will be a big part of that in Wisconsin.