IDEM Holds Public Meeting on Ethanol Refinery

by John Walker (Shelbyville News) A much smaller crowd turned out this time at Breck Auditorium for a public meeting on a proposed ethanol plant in Shelby County.

Those concerns also prompted IDEM to extend the public comment period on POET’s air quality permit application to Aug. 20, said Doug Wagner, a technical environmental specialist with IDEM.

Explaining the process, he said IDEM will review the comments and application, but is required by law to issue the permit if POET meets the requirements.

“The permit will be issued as long we think the company can comply with this permit,” Wagner said.

Jeff Bate, a local attorney who lives near the site of the proposed ethanol refinery, was first to question the IDEM panel. He asked what was the worst pollutant the plant would emit.

Wagner replied that there would be particulate matter which can cause respiratory problems if emitted in large volumes, which is why the plant is regulated.

“This plant will also emit volatile organic compounds,” he said, which can create ozone, a greenhouse gas, if weather conditions are right.

Bate asked how often the plant would be tested, and Wagner replied within 180 days after it begins operation, then every five years.

Jenny Acker, branch chief of the air permits branch of IDEM, explained that the company does daily testing and submits quarterly reports to the environmental agency.

“Inspectors go out on a regular basis ... and they go through the records,” she said.

A woman asked about odors from the plant, and Wagner said those can be indicators that “something isn’t running properly,” in which case residents should alert IDEM, marking the time, date and wind direction.

“We never want it to be cost-effective for someone to violate their permit,” Wagner said.

The public meeting adjourned after about 90 minutes. Asked then about the process, Acker said the public comments would be reviewed and may result in small changes to the permit.

After the review, IDEM submits the permit application to the federal Environmental Protection Agency. If approved by the EPA, an air quality permit could be issued within 2 to 3 weeks after the public comment period ends on Aug. 20, she said.

No one from POET spoke at the meeting Tuesday, but afterward the company issued the following statement:

“We appreciate IDEM for providing a forum for the public to ask questions and get more information about POET’s $150-160 million investment in Shelby County.

“Over the last 30 years, POET has developed the most state-of-the-art processes and environmental controls in the biofuels industry. POET remains deeply committed to producing cleaner-burning, renewable fuel while protecting our air and water. We welcome the opportunity to partner with surrounding communities to grow the local economy and bring added value to farms and families in Shelby County.” READ MORE