Biofuels Plant Proposal Raising Concerns for Residents in Sumner County

August 16, 2018

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by Tiffany Lane (KSNW) Residents expressed concern Wednesday night over a proposal to build a biofuel plant in Sumner County. A Michigan company is hoping to build a plant near Belle Plaine that would convert wheat straw into renewable gas.

The company says the plant could add 100 jobs to the community. But many residents are not on board. The plant was the topic of discussion at the Sumner County Commission meeting Wednesday with residents who live near where the plant would be built saying they are concerned.

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"They're going to propose taking wheat straw and changing it into clean natural gas and piping it into a pipeline that's already on the property," said Jon Bristor, Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health Director of Sumner County.

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Aside from bringing an industrial feel to the area, some residents are also worried about the traffic.

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Another main concern is the impacts on the Ninnescah River, since the company says it will use an average of 50 million gallons of water a year in the first phase.

"We are going through a process of Kansas Water Resources Division to file for a new water permit this week or next week," said Greg Northrup, President of VNA Corp. "We'll drill test wells on the site to help us start to determine if the groundwater well capabilities too supply the site."

The residents KSN spoke with said they are not against renewable natural gas. They just don't want it near their land and would like to see it in a more industrial area. READ MORE; includes VIDEO

Packed house in opposition of Sumner County biofuels plant (KAKE.com)

Plant would convert Kansas wheat straw to natural gas. Why do some oppose it? (Wichita Eagle; includes VIDEO)

Decision on biofuel plant in Sumner County delayed until November (KWCH)

Sumner County Planning Commission denies rezoning for biofuel plant (KAKE)