Exhibit 24.8

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL BY THESE PRESENTS, that I, the undersigned, do hereby appoint Mark
L. Jagels, Michael Schardt or Pamela Maynard or any of them, attorney for me and
in my name and on my behalf to sign the Registration Statement on Form SB-2 of
OREGON TRAIL ETHANOL COALITION, L.L.C., and any amendment or supplement thereto,
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act
of 1933 with respect to the registration of the membership units of Oregon Trail
Ethanol Coalition, L.L.C. and generally to do and perform all things necessary
to be done in the premises as fully and effectually in all respects as I could
do if personally present.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of July,
2002.

                                     /s/ Gene Thomas
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Gene Thomas

STATE OF NEBRASKA            )
                             )       ss.
COUNTY OF Jefferson          )


         On this 24th day of July, 2002, before me, a Notary Public qualified
for said County, personally came Gene Thomas, known to me to be the identical
person who signed the foregoing instrument and acknowledged the execution
thereof to be his voluntary act and deed.

                                     /s/ Rosemary H. Dageforde
                                     -------------------------------------------
                                     Notary Public
                                     My Commission expires:

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