St.
Paul, Minn. – The ethanol plant in Buffalo Lake formerly owned by Minnesota
Energy is in the process of correcting water and air quality permit violations,
and must pay a $10,000 civil penalty, according to an agreement with the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
In
October 2012, Renville County officials reported a “white discoloration” in a
section of Judicial Ditch 15 downstream from the plant. An MPCA inspection
revealed that contaminated stormwater and cooling tower wastewater had been
discharged to the ground, causing a storm pond to overflow, and eventually flowing
to Judicial Ditch 15. The inspection also noted that the plant had failed to
meet permit requirements for observing discharge limits, monitoring, and
reporting.
Minnesota
Energy is a cooperative previously permitted to produce up to 23.5 million
gallons of ethanol per year. In June 2012 it licensed operation of the plant to
Purified Renewable Energy, and transferred ownership in November 2012. Purified
Renewable Energy has since filed for bankruptcy. The plant is now owned by Buffalo
Lake Advanced Biofuels, LLC, which is now responsible for the remaining
corrective actions.
The penalty and cleanup
are part of a stipulation agreement between Minnesota Energy and the MPCA. This
type of agreement is one of the tools the agency uses to achieve compliance
with environmental laws. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into
account how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it was a
first-time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate
authorities. The agency also attempts to recover the calculated economic
benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner.
Broadcast version
The
ethanol plant in Buffalo Lake formerly owned by Minnesota Energy is in the
process of correcting water and air quality violations, and must pay a $10,000
penalty, under an agreement with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.
An MPCA
inspection revealed an unpermitted discharge of contaminated stormwater and cooling
tower wastewater from the plant to a county ditch. The inspection also noted
failure to meet permit requirements for observing discharge limits, monitoring,
and reporting.
The plant
is now owned by Buffalo Lake Advanced Biofuels, which is responsible for correcting
the problem.
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The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
St. Paul • Brainerd • Detroit Lakes • Duluth • Mankato • Marshall • Rochester • Willmar www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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