Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-8108 Detroit Lakes, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) and an Air Emissions Permit for a proposed expansion of the Pope/Douglas waste-to-energy facility in Alexandria. The 30-day comment period for the EAW runs Nov. 2 through Dec. 2, 2009. The comment period for the air emissions permit runs Nov. 4 through Dec. 4, 2009. The proposed expansion at the facility would add a third combustor unit and double its capacity to 240 tons per day. The MPCA will host an informational meeting on the proposed expansion on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at Alexandria Technical College, 1601 Jefferson St., auditorium room 205. The meeting will begin with informal discussions from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., followed by a presentation from the project proposer, Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management. The MPCA will provide information about the project's permitting and environmental review process. The EAW is a preliminary environmental review of how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The EAW also helps the MPCA determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement (a more in-depth environmental review) is needed. The MPCA may make changes to the permit based on input it receives during the public comment period or on new information gathered as part of its review of the project. Copies of the EAW are available for review on the Web at hhref="/news/eaw/index.html; at the Douglas County Public Library, 720 Fillmore St., in Alexandria; at the MPCA Detroit Lakes office, 714 Lake Ave., Suite 220; and at the MPCA St. Paul office, 520 Lafayette Rd. N. To request a copy of the EAW or if you have questions about it or the Nov. 17 meeting, call Kevin Kain at 651-757-2482 or 800-657-3864. Additional information on the environmental review process is available on the Web at http://www.mnplan.state.mn.us/eqb/pdf/envreview.pdf. Comments on the EAW should be submitted in writing by Dec. 2, 2009, to Kevin Kain, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155-4194 or they may be e-mailed to Kevin.Kain@state.mn.us. Copies of the air permit and related information are also available for viewing at the Douglas County Public Library in Alexandria and at the MPCA offices in Detroit Lakes and St. Paul. The air permit information is also available on the Web at hhref="/news/data/index.cfm?PN=1. Persons who have questions about the air permit should call Bruce Braaten at 507-206-2607. Comments on the air emissions permit should be submitted by Dec. 4, 2009, to Bruce Braaten, MPCA, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E., Rochester, MN 55904 or by e-mail to Bruce.Braaten@state.mn.us.