The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) today released its environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for the planned construction of a natural gas pipeline to service Heartland Corn Products Inc., an ethanol production facility in Sibley County. A new, higher capacity natural gas pipeline, along with additional facility improvements, will allow Heartland Corn Products Inc. to increase its ethanol production capacity from 155 million gallons per year, to 180 million gallons per year.
The EAW reviewed potential impacts to air, local geology, soils, groundwater, surface water, and other potential environmental impacts. Some key findings include:
- Construction of the Heartland Corn Products Gas Delivery Station and the Hutchinson Utilities Commission interconnect station include permanent impacts to land use; the pipeline corridor will be returned to pre-construction conditions.
- Operational air emissions of criteria pollutants from the pipeline heater are considered insignificant for air permitting purposes, therefore air permitting is not required.
- Horizontal directional drilling construction methods will be used to install the pipeline beneath the wetlands.
The primary objective of this pipeline project is to ensure a reliable and consistent supply of natural gas to the ethanol plant. By overcoming the current shortfalls in natural gas delivery, Heartland Corn Products Inc. will be able to operate at its full capacity without interruptions or limitations. Additionally, the increased capacity will also support the company's future plans for expanding its ethanol plant facilities.
The construction of the pipeline is scheduled to begin in August 2023 and expected to be completed and in-service November 1, 2023. The project is estimated to cost approximately $9 million.
The MPCA invites the public to comment on the EAW. Residents should consider the EAW’s accuracy, potential impacts from the project that warrant further investigation, or the need for an environmental impact statement.
The public can review the draft EAW and submit public comments by visiting www.pca.state.mn.us/public-comments or by mail to:
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
c/o Samantha Bump
520 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN 55155
After the public comment period is complete, the agency will review all comments and determine whether additional environmental review will be necessary. If the agency determines there is no need for additional environmental review, the project will proceed to permitting.