Garbage truck tipping load into OWEF pit; photo credit: Nick Ryan
Have you ever wondered what happens to garbage once it leaves the curb? For over three decades, the Olmsted Waste-to-Energy Facility (OWEF) has been creating clean, renewable energy from waste that cannot be reduced, reused, recycled, or composted.
See how the OWEF processes garbage in this new video.
The Olmsted County Environmental Commission and Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) recognized the winners of the 2017 Environmental Achievement Awards at a banquet on Thursday, January 18, 2018.
The awards honor individuals, organizations, schools and businesses that have made a significant contribution towards environmental quality in Olmsted County.
The 2017 award winners:
- Clifford Hansen - Conservation
- Lida Casper - Sustainable Food Production
- Hy-Vee Rochester Stores - Conservation
- Zoey Jantsan - Education
- John and Patty Trnka - Conservation
- Max Campeua - Water
- Becca Jacobson and Annette Homburger - Stewards of Hope - Conservation
Visit our website to read more about the award recipients.
2017 Environmental Achievement Award winners and nominators; photo credit: Josh Banks of BanksPhotos.com
Last year, Hentges Glass opened a new facility just off Highway 14 on the western edge of Byron. Included in the new build was a 40 kW array of solar panels. While solar panels aren't new to our area, the way in which these panels were financed is.
Hentges became the first business in Olmsted County to take advantage of the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. PACE is an innovative way for businesses, non-profits, and multi-tenant housing properties to finance energy efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy generation systems. Interested property owners evaluate measures that save or produce energy. Approved projects receive 100% financing, to be repaid as a property tax assessment for up to 20 years.
Hentges' solar array cost approximately $100,000. The system is projected to pay back in less than 10 years. A combination of energy savings, tax credits, and solar rewards ensures a positive cash flow for the project.
PACE benefits include the following:
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Property owners are able to invest in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy upgrades with no upfront costs
- Utility savings exceed payment obligations, making investments cash positive for property owners and tenants
- Payments are rolled into a special assessment made payable twice per year as part of the building owner's property taxes -- the first payment is due in May of the following year
- The program is tax neutral with no financial exposure to cities or counties
- Energy saving investments promote local jobs
According to Curt Shellum, owner & CEO of Solar Connection (the company that installed Hentges' solar array), "We think the PACE program is a tremendous opportunity for business owners to do energy upgrades or solar energy systems. It allows the business to do the project with no down payment. Plus there is a one-year grace period before payments are due, allowing energy savings to accrue before the loan payment is due."
For more information about the PACE program, please visit our website.
Solar array on top of Hentges Glass; photo credit: Solar Connection
Each year, the Southeastern Minnesota Water Analysis Laboratory (SEMWAL) tests thousands of water samples. With the option to purchase a kit online, it's now easier than ever to know if your water is safe. If you maintain a private well, consider the following tests.
Discount Water Testing Packages
$54.00: Real Estate Test / Recommended Annual Test - Tests for bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulfate, fluoride
$79.00: VA / FHA Real Estate Test - Tests for lead, bacteria, nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulfate, fluoride
Water Tests
$31.00: Bacteria - total coliform & E. coli
$31.00: Calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, lithium (potassium and lithium are not certified under the Safe Drinking Water Program)
$31.00: Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, sulfate, fluoride
$31.00: Pregrout nitrate & nitrite
$31.00: Lead: Sub-contracted to MVTL Lab
$31.00: Arsenic: Sub-contracted to MVTL Lab
$80.00: Water sampled by County staff - By appointment and only Olmsted County locations
Sample Acceptance Requirements
- Samples delivered to SEMWAL (located inside the Olmsted County Public Health Building) -- 2100 Campus Drive SE, Rochester, MN 55904 -- 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Wednesday and by 12:00 PM (noon) on Thursday
- Arrive within 28 hours of being collected
- Arrive in bottles supplied by SEMWAL
- Labeled with name, sampling date, and time
For testing instructions, visit SEMWAL's website.
Batteries are everywhere. In the United States alone, we purchase around 3 billion of them annually. With so many shapes, sizes, and chemistry types, disposing of them properly can be confusing.
The easiest way to determine whether a battery needs to be recycled is to find out whether it's rechargeable.
Single-use alkaline batteries are NOT rechargeable and can be thrown in the trash.
Please note, button batteries can contain a variety of chemistry types so even though they are single-use, please bring them to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility.
Common rechargeable batteries include:
- lithium-ion (Li-ion)
- lithium polymer (LiPo)
- lead-acid (car battery)
- nickel cadmium (NiCd)
- nickel-metal hydride (NiMH).
Rechargeable batteries contain heavy metals and besides being hazardous, almost all of them are recyclable (but not in a curbside recycling bin). They can be brought to the Olmsted County Hazardous Waste Facility. There is no charge to dispose of them. Batteries that are swollen, corroded, leaking or showing burn marks should be placed in a clear plastic bag when brought to the Hazardous Waste Facility.
For other disposal questions, visit olmstedwaste.com and try our Waste Wizard.
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