MILTON — The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources continues to investigate complaints of odor at United Ethanol, 1250 Chicago St., Milton.
The DNR responded to a city request for an odor investigation in a letter dated March 31. The Milton City Council discussed the DNR response at its meeting Tuesday.
DNR staff hasn't confirmed the plant is releasing "malodorous emissions," but it has identified potential sources of odor, according to the letter from Lloyd Eagan, DNR south central regional director.
It has asked the plant to evaluate emissions from its scrubbers, general operations and building operations and report to the DNR by April 30.
"To date, the department is not satisfied that you are taking preventative measures to abate or control such emissions," Brian Barbieur, air management engineer, wrote in a letter to the plant.
The plant plans to submit an "odor plan" and already has taken steps to address the concerns, spokeswoman Dori Lichty said. She said the installation of a new regenerative thermal oxidizer in December has "drastically improved" the odor.
But neighbors and city elected officials aren't satisfied. Neighbors complained at a February city council meeting that the plant still stinks. One woman said she felt like she was robbed of the right to use her backyard.
Mayor Tom Chesmore said he's smelled the plant on bad days, and it burns his nostrils.
"They (the plant) have problems, and they need to get them addressed, and they need to do it quickly," he said.
The DNR can declare odor objectionable based on its own investigation or a random sampling in which 60 percent of people exposed to the odor at home or work find it objectionable.
The department is continuing its investigation and would conduct a survey as a last resort, said Tom Roushar, air management program supervisor. A survey is time consuming and not always accurate, he said.
Roushar said he understands residents' frustration at how long the plant is taking to come into compliance. The department issued a report detailing permit violations by the plant in June, and since then it has been working with the plant to address issues, he said.
On March 24, the department issued a letter of noncompliance complaining the plant is not submitting all the required records to the department.
"Until they (plant officials) get used to fully complying, it's going to take some time," he said. "We expect total compliance."