Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Jennifer Groebner, 651-296-7706 St. Paul, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) is seeking comment on the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 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. As required by Environmental Quality Board rules, a 10-day public review period begins April 21 and continues through 4:30 p.m. on May 5, 2008. The proposed landfill is to be located at an existing gravel mining operation at the corner of I-94 and Stagecoach Trail in West Lakeland Township, Washington County. The final EIS consists of MPCA's responses to comments received on the draft EIS published on Dec. 31, 2007, as well as several attachments to that document. MPCA staff will present the final EIS to the MPCA Citizens' Board for a decision on its adequacy on Tuesday, May 20, 2008. An agenda for that meeting will be posted to the MPCA Web site on May 9. Any person may appear at the meeting to address the board. Comments on the final EIS should be submitted in writing by 4:30 p.m. on May 5, 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 final EIS 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. Those with questions about the project should call Jennifer Groebner at 651-296-7706. All MPCA staff can be reached toll-free at 1-800-657-3864.