Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Environmental Review: Jim Sullivan, (651) 297-1788 Water Quality Permit: Deb Schumann, (651) 296-5791 Air Emissions Permit: Greg Kvaal, (651) 296-7626 Information Officer: Nancy Miller, (507) 280-3590 ROCHESTER, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comments on an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW), a draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System/State Disposal System Permit, and a draft Air Emissions Permit prepared for Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC in Fairmont, Minn. Interested parties may submit comments on the EAW and draft permits until 4:30 p.m. on Apr. 26, 2006. Biofuel Solutions, LLC proposes construction of an ethanol plant adjacent to an existing Cargill Ag Horizons grain-handling facility near Fairmont, in Martin County. The proposed facility, Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC, would produce a maximum of 118 million gallons of 200-proof ethanol per year. It would also produce 360,000 tons per year of distiller's dried grains with solubles, a co-product used for animal feed. The EAW provides basic information about how a proposed project could potentially affect the environment. The EAW helps determine whether an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Interested parties may comment on the EAW and draft permits during the 30-day public notice period, which began Mar. 27. Written comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 26. Copies of the Buffalo Lake Energy EAW and draft permits are available at these locations:
· MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul;
· MPCA, 18 Wood Lake Drive S.E., Rochester;
· MPCA, 1230 S. Victory Drive, Mankato;
· Rochester Public Library, 101 Second St. S.E., Rochester;
· Blue Earth County Library, 100 E. Main St., Mankato;
· Martin County Library, 110 N. Park St., Fairmont; and
· Minnesota Pollution Control Agency Web site: http://www.pca.state.mn.us.
Send questions and comments on the Buffalo Lake Energy, LLC EAW to Jim Sullivan, project manager, Environmental Review and Operations, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 (phone 651/297-1788, fax 651/297-2343, e-mail jim.sullivan@pca.state.mn.us). Forward comments and questions on the draft NPDES/SDS Permit to Debra Schumann, pollution control specialist, Land and Water Quality Permits, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 (phone 651/297-5791, fax 651/296-8717, e-mail deborah.schumann@pca.state.mn.us). Comments and questions on the draft Air Emissions Permit should be sent to Greg Kvaal, senior engineer, Air Quality Permits, MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road N., Saint Paul, MN 55155 (phone 651/296-7626, fax 651/296-8717, e-mail greg.kvaal@pca.state.mn.us).