Omega Partners III - Ethanol Terminal Operations

American Operations Corporation, through its AOC Energy Services, LLC operates, markets and manages three energy storage operations in the southeast United States for Omega Partners III, LLL.

American-made, renewable ethanol directly displaces crude oil we would need to import, offering our country critically needed independence and security from foreign sources of energy. Current U.S. ethanol production capacity of 6 billion gallons per year can reduce gasoline imports by more than one-third and effectively extends gasoline supplies at a time when refining capacity is at its maximum. According to the Energy Information Administration, the 7.5 billion gallon ethanol production level minimum set in theÊRenewable Fuels Standard could reduce oil consumption by 80,000 barrels per day. Ethanol is key to reducing our country's trade deficit in crude oil, a figure that has been steadily increasing: $27 billion in 1987 up to $100 billion in 2002. The U.S. Commerce Department estimates that each $1 billion of trade deficit costs the U.S. 19,100 jobs. Energy Independence Facts:

• The U.S. imports about two-thirds of its oil, and some experts predict our dependence upon foreign crude could climb to 70% in the years to come.
• For every barrel of ethanol produced (1 barrel = 42 gallons), 1.2 barrels of petroleum are displaced at the refinery. (Information Resources Inc.)
• In addition to importing record amounts of oil, the U.S. has also been importing record amounts of finished gasoline: 37 million gallons per day. (Energy Information Administration)
• U.S. fuel consumption increased from 12 billion gallons per year in 1970, to 160 billion gallons in 2002. (Federal Highway Administration)
  

In response to the market growth and demand for ethanol, and its markets generally being far away from market demand for blending with gasoline, ethanol storage demand grew, located in major gasoline consuming markets. Reliant Star Capital, LLC, though its subsidiary Omega Reliant, LLC invested in and operates three energy storage terminals as Omega Partners III, LLC in Columbus, GA and Jacksonville, FL. Omega Partners III, LLC has contracted with AOC Energy Services, LLC to provide integrated facility management, marketing and operation of the terminals, and to grow the business through strategic acquisition.
AOC Energy Services, LLC provides:

• Financial and Business Management
• Storage Marketing and Contract Administration
• Storage Operations and Maintenance
• Product Inventory Management
• Product Quality Management
• Safety and Risk Management