Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contacts: Dan McLean, 651-297-1607 Toll-free: 1-800-657-3864 Saint Paul, Minn. - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has prepared an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) for a proposal by Rahr Malting and Koda Energy to expand an existing wastewater treatment system and construct a new power plant fueled by biomass. Rahr Malting is a barley malt producer in Shakopee that sells its products to the food and beverage industry. Koda Energy is a limited liability corporation whose members include Rahr Malting and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Rahr Malting proposes to expand its wastewater treatment system, increasing its annual average wastewater discharge to a little more than 2 million gallons per day. The current wastewater discharge averages about 1.5 million gallons per day. The treated wastewater is discharged to the Minnesota River. Despite the increase in the amount of wastewater discharged, there will be no net increase in the amount of pollutants going to the Minnesota River. Rahr Malting has undertaken several projects in the river's watershed to decrease the overall amount of pollutants entering it. Koda Energy plans to use byproducts from Rahr Malting as part of the fuel for a biomass power plant that will generate close to 18 megawatts of energy annually, and 120,000 pounds of steam per hour. Rahr Malting will purchase the steam for use at their facility. Koda Energy will either sell the electricity to Rahr Malting and/or will sell the power to an electric utility. The EAW describes potential impacts on land use, water quality and air quality, and is open for public review and comment July 2 through Aug. 3, 2007. Comments on the EAW should be submitted to the MPCA in writing by 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, to Denise Leezer at the MPCA, 520 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4194, or by fax at 651 297 2343. The MPCA will use these comments to evaluate the potential for significant environmental effects from the project and to decide if an Environmental Impact Statement, a more comprehensive environmental review, is needed. Copies of the Rahr Malting Company and Koda Energy LLC, Combined Wastewater Treatment System Expansion and Heat and Power Plant EAW are available for review at:
· The MPCA's St. Paul office at 520 Lafayette Road North
· The MPCA's Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html
· The Minneapolis Public Library at 300 Nicollet Mall
· The Scott County Library, 13090 Alabama Avenue South, Savage
· The Shakopee Branch Library, 235 South Lewis Street
Copies may also be requested directly from the MPCA by calling 651-297-8510. Questions about the project should be directed to Denise Leezer at 651-297-8236, or toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.