Statement on COOP Allegations
January 15, 2008

ELK POINT, S.D. – Following today’s news conference held by those opposed to bringing $10 billion in investment and hundreds of good-paying jobs to the Siouxland region, reporters have asked various questions. They fall into the general categories below. Unfortunately, COOP has strung together a few facts and addresses, mixed them in with inaccuracies, and concocted a scenario that is frankly bizarre.
 
Is this really going to be a landfill?
 
No. Definitely not. The notion is simply preposterous and demonstrates how out-of-touch the opponents are. We are in the site selection process for an Energy Center, with central components being an oil refinery and an IGCC power plant. Hyperion officers are also invested in and active with several other companies, including one that previously attempted to site a landfill. But to repeat, NO, that is not the case here.
 
Is the Hyperion Team Qualified?
 
Absolutely. In fact we have a world-class team. COOP is just flat wrong with regards to Hyperion’s refinery and energy experience. The day to-day refinery aspects of the project are directed by Corky Frank, who has 40 years of experience in the business, much of that working directly with refineries. Our Executive Advisor for Refining Technology is Humberto Vainieri, who in 1999 was named “Refining Executive of the Year” by World Refining Magazine. Carl Clay handles the logistics for the Energy Center, which is a critical component of the project, and very few people in the industry have the length and depth of experience Carl does. Further, Hyperion has assembled the world’s best team of consultants to handle the air quality, engineering, socio-economic and all other aspects of the project. Frankly, if one of the biggest complaints COOP has is to say a team led by the Refining Executive of the Year and industry veteran Corky Frank doesn’t have experience in the field, they’re grasping at straws.