EAW relief for ethanol plants

Ethanol plant owners seeking to build or expand production facilities would no longer be required to have an Environmental Assessment Worksheet prepared by the Pollution Control Agency, under a bill on its way to the House Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Policy and Finance Committee.

Sponsored by Rep. Bob Gunther (R-Fairmont), HF716 would repeal the Environment Quality Board rule that requires an environmental worksheet be done for ethanol plants that plan to produce more than 5 million gallons per year. It does not remove the requirement for a more comprehensive and costly study known as an Environmental Impact Statement. The worksheet is often the precursor to see if an EIS is needed.

The House Agriculture and Rural Development Policy and Finance Committee approved the bill March 8 and referred it to the environment committee. Some committee members expressed concern over removing another step in the public’s ability to review such projects. Rep. Rick Hansen (DFL-South St. Paul) said the public is providing subsidies to ethanol producers and that assurances need to be in place to ensure that plant operations will not harm the environment.

Rep. Paul Anderson (R-Starbuck) said because current fuel prices keep rising, it is important to support the ethanol industry, which contributes 10 percent of vehicle fuels used in the state.

The bill’s companion, SF435, sponsored by Sen. Julie Rosen (R-Fairmont), awaits action by the Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee.