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United Ethanol hopes equipment solves ills

MILTON — United Ethanol hopes new equipment will help smooth problems with neighbors and the state Department of Natural Resources.

The plant’s new, larger regenerative thermal oxidizer went online late last week, spokeswoman Dori Lichty said.

“All is running smoothly,” she said.

Plant officials installed the new oxidizer after neighbors complained about noise, odor and emissions at the site, 1250 Chicago St.

In a letter to the DNR, the plant blamed its contractors for installing inadequate equipment.

In June, the DNR released a report detailing more than 170 permit violations at the plant, including several emissions violations.

The DNR and plant officials met in September to discuss the violations, and the DNR continues to review the case, said Eileen Pierce, regional air and waste leader.

The DNR in August granted United Ethanol permission to install the larger oxidizer, and construction began soon after.

“The new RTO will assist with decreasing noise, decreasing odor and helping us to better control emissions in line with our permit,” Lichty said.

Plant officials believe noise at the plant is “almost non-existent” since the equipment went online, Lichty said.

The oxidizer will allow the plant to produce up to 55 million gallons of ethanol a year, up from its old capacity of 42 million gallons a year. The plant has a permit to produce up to 60 million gallons a year.

Under terms of the permit, the plant must submit to DNR-approved emission tests within 90 days of the equipment coming online.

Plant officials are working with the DNR to set a date for testing, Lichty said.

The city has sent a letter to neighbors asking for their reactions to the new equipment, Mayor Nate Bruce said.

“We hope that this will be the solution to all the problems,” he said.