The state senate is one step away from approving more specific standards for corporate farms and companies that turn animal processing waste into oil.
The idea comes from Senator Gary Nodler, who represents an area that includes the Renewable Environmental Solutions plant in Carthage. The plant has generated dozens of odor complaints about its process for turning waste from a chicken processing plant into diesel fuel.
The senate has advanced a bill containing Nodler’s provisions saying the state can take away operating permits of any plant that violates clean air or clean water, or odor pollution standards six times in 12 months..or 12 times in 36 months.
"Under rules that we have now, you could have a violation a day," says Nodler.
He admits the violation threshold is high. But he says he does not want a serious burden on producers who are trying to solve problems.
Nodler’s plan would not penalize the RES plant in Carthage. He says it has been cited only four times by the state in the four years it’s been operating.
Nodler’s bill also keeps the state from delaying issuing permits for corporate farms–CAFOs. It says DNR must establish firm time lines for permit decisions if it can’t process an application within 90 days.
(Nodler’s language has been added to SB898, which is awaiting passage in the Senate)
download bob priddy’s story (1resva.mp3)
