Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Jennifer Groebner, 651-296-7706 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) seeks comments on a draft environmental impact statement for a proposal by Xcel Energy to build and operate a landfill for disposal of coal ash from the A.S. King Electric Generating Plant. The public review period begins today, Dec. 31, and continues through 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2008. The proposed landfill is to be sited at a pre-existing gravel mining operation at the corner of I-94 and Stagecoach Trail in West Lakeland Township, Washington County. The draft environmental impact statement provides an in-depth assessment of the environmental impacts of the proposed project, as well as reasonable alternatives and ways to mitigate any impacts identified. Public comments should be to identify gaps in the analysis, insufficient depth of analysis and issues that were inadequately addressed or left out. The MPCA is holding two public information meetings on the proposed project in January. The first meeting is an informal open house on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008 at the Stillwater Library (224 Third Street North), in River Room A, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. This will be an opportunity to talk one-on-one about the draft environmental impact statement and proposed project. No formal presentation will be given. The second meeting will be held on Jan. 24, 2008 at Oak-Land Junior High (820 Manning Ave N., Stillwater). This meeting will begin with an informal open house from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a formal presentation. There will be time to answer questions during the open house and following the presentation. A court reporter will be on hand to prepare a written record of the proceedings. Comments on the draft environmental impact statement should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2008, to William Lynott, MPCA, Environmental Review Section, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN 55155-4194, by e-mail to william.lynott@pca.state.mn.us or by fax to 651-297-2343. Copies of the Xcel Energy Ash Landfill DEIS are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N.
· MPCA Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/xcel-eis.html
· Valley Branch Library, 380 St. Croix Trail, Lakeland
· Washington County Library, 8595 Central Park Place, Woodbury
Copies may also be requested directly by calling Mary Osborn at 651-297-8510. Telephone inquiries related to the project should be directed to Jennifer Groebner at 651-296-7706 or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.