FORM 8-K

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 7, 1998.



                           HIGH PLAINS CORPORTION

            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kansas                                                                #1-8680
(State or other jurisdiction of                              (Commission file
 incorporation                                                Number)


200 W. Douglas                                                    #48-0901658
Suite #820                                                      (IRS Employer
(Address of principal                                      dentification No.)
 executive offices)

                               (316) 269-4310
                       (Registrant's telephone number)





Item 5  Other Information

Wichita, Kansas - December 4, 1998 - High Plains Corporation (NASDAQ:HIPC),
today announced that it will participate in a US Department of Energy-funded
fuel cell feasibility study at its York, Nebraska ethanol production
facility.  Nebraska Governor Ben Nelson will unveil details of the project at
a press conference he has scheduled at the State Capitol in Lincoln next
Monday, December 7, at 9:30 a.m. CST.

The feasibility study is sponsored by the Western Regional Biomass Energy
program on behalf of the US Department of Energy.  Bryan & Bryan, Inc., an
ethanol-consulting firm based in Colorado, is the manager of the project.
Energy Research Corporation (ERC) of Danbury, Connecticut will provide
technical input on the fuel cell technology.  Research Development Associates
of Washington, DC will provide technical assistance on anaerobic digestion.

70% of electricity generated in the US is derived from fossil fuels.  A
cleaner and more efficient power generation unit that runs on widely
available renewable fuels, such as ethanol or methane gas from an anaerobic
digester, would provide direct benefit to electric utilities and their
consumers.

A fuel cell combines fuel with air to electrochemically produce electricity,
heat and carbon dioxide with negligible emissions and no noise.  In contrast,
fossil fuels, frequently imported, must be combusted to generate electricity,
raising concerns about energy independence and air pollution.

Based in Wichita, Kansas, High Plains Corporation is among the nation's
largest producers of ethanol.  In addition to its largest production facility
at the project site in York, Nebraska, the Company operates production
facilities in Colwich, Kansas and Portales, New Mexico.



This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant
to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
of 1995.  Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve
risks and uncertainties, including without limitation risks of fluctuations
in feedstock commodity prices, changes in the market prices or demand for
motor fuels and Ethanol, legislative changes regarding air quality, fuel
specifications or incentive programs, as well as general market conditions,
competition and pricing.  The Company believes that forward-looking statements
made by it are based upon reasonable expectations.  However, no assurances
can be given that actual results will not differ materially from those
contained in such forward-looking statements.  Additional information
concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company's Securities
and Exchange Commission filings, including its annual 10K, Proxy Statement
and quarterly 10Q filings, copies of which are available from the Company
without charge.







                                  SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant had duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date   December 7, 1998                   HIGH PLAINS CORPORATION


                                          /s/Gary R. Smith
                                             President
                                             Chief Executive Officer