VeraSun Energy Breaks Ground on Hartley, Iowa, Ethanol Facility

110 MMGY Facility Scheduled for Startup Q1 2008

BROOKINGS, S.D., Nov. 27 -- VeraSun Energy Corporation , the nation's second-largest ethanol producer, today announced that it has begun construction on its newest 110-million-gallon-per- year (MMGY) ethanol production facility near Hartley, Iowa. The plant is on schedule to begin production in the first quarter of 2008.

The facility, which will process more than 39 million bushels of corn annually and employ roughly 50 skilled workers upon completion, will take approximately 16 months to construct. The 110 MMGY facility will also yield 350,000 tons of dried distillers grains (DDGS) annually.

"A great deal of planning and preparation has brought us to this point," said VeraSun Chairman and CEO Don Endres. "We look forward to working with the community as we bring the plant to life. Together, we will make a positive impact on the region by creating jobs and strengthening agriculture while adding to our nation's domestic fuel supply."

Initial work at the site, located on approximately 350 acres, will include moving in heavy equipment, hauling dirt, grading and building access roads.

"We've developed a great relationship with VeraSun since February, which we see carrying through construction and beyond," said Kiana Johnson, Executive Director O'Brien County Economic Development Corporation. "We are confident this will be a good partnership, bringing an economic boost to the local agriculture community and surrounding areas. We welcome VeraSun and their contractors and hope they feel at home in Hartley."

A public information meeting is being planned, with a formal groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Spring 2007.

"This is what Hartley really needs," added Hartley Economic Development Corporation Board member and local farmer Ken Smith. "We are excited to have VeraSun join our community. They have been a first-class group to work with. From initial call to locating the plant site, it has been apparent they care about the community and we know the plant will have a positive impact on our entire region."

The plant is being engineered by ICM, Inc., of Colwich, Kan., and the general contractor is Fagen, Inc., of Granite Falls, Minn.

About VeraSun Energy Corporation

VeraSun Energy Corporation is the second-largest ethanol producer in the U.S. based on production. The company has two operating production facilities located in Aurora, South Dakota, and Fort Dodge, Iowa, is constructing facilities in Charles City and Hartley, Iowa and has an additional facility under development in Welcome, Minnesota. Upon completion of the new facilities, VeraSun will have an annual production capacity of approximately 560 million gallons of ethanol per year.

The company markets VeraSun E85, a blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline for Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFVs), directly to fuel retailers under the brand VE85(TM). VeraSun's branded E85 is now available at more than 80 retail locations. For more information, please visit the VeraSun websites at http://www.verasun.com/ or http://www.ve85.com/ .