A Chevron Corp. subsidiary has agreed to help develop ethanol production plans for a renewable energy firm, Ethanex Energy Inc.

Chevron Energy Solutions will perform engineering and design work to help Basehor, Kan.-based Ethanex Energy build at least three ethanol plants by 2008. The plant, located in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas, each will produce about 132 million gallons of fuel-grade ethanol per year.

Through its subsidiaries, Chevron has spent more than $1.5 billion on renewable energy projects since 2000, according to the San Ramon, Calif.-based corporation.

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