DNR gives preliminary approval to renew air pollution control permit for Boyceville CO2 plant

By LeAnn R. Ralph

BOYCEVILLE — The state Department of Natural Resources has given preliminary approval to renew an air pollution control permit for Air Products and Chemicals Inc. for a carbon dioxide processing facility next to the Big River Resources ethanol plant.

According to a letter from the DNR dated June 8, “The Air Management Program of the Department of Natural Resources has performed a preliminary review of the application for air pollution control permit number 617040059-P01 regarding the operation of an existing carbon dioxide processing facility located in Boyceville, Wisconsin. The Air Management Program has prepared an analysis of the proposed permit and has made a preliminary determination that it is approvable.”

The public notice of an air pollution control permit application review was sent out on June 20, and the public comment period on the application will end July 20.

Preliminary approval of the permit was on June 8.

The Air Products and Chemicals Inc. process captures carbon dioxide the ethanol plant would normally vent into the atmosphere.

The Dunn County Zoning Board of Adjustment unanimously approved a special exception to operate a carbon dioxide plant at the Big River Resources plant in December of 2013.

Much of the carbon dioxide generated at the plant is shipped to the Jennie-O Turkey store processing facility in Barron.

CO2 is used throughout the  manufacturing process. At the start of the process, it is used to asphyxiate the turkeys. It also is used to cool the meat grinders, in the food freezers to quick-freeze the products and in packaging.

The motion approved by the Dunn County Zoning Board of Adjustment included an amendment to set a condition for a maximum of 13 trucks per day of carbon dioxide.

Anyone who is interested in submitting written comments on the application for the air pollution control permit for the DNR’s review, or anyone wishing to request a public hearing, should do so within 30 days of the publication of the notice on June 20.

Comments or a request for a public hearing should be sent to: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Southeast Region Headquarters, 2300 North Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212-3128. Attention: Dan Hellenberg.

All comments received by the DNR at the public hearing, if one is held, and prior to the close of the comment period, will be considered before making a final decision regarding the air pollution permit for Air Products and Chemicals Inc.

After the close of the public comment period on July 20, the DNR will make a final decision on whether to issue or to deny the air pollution control permit.

The proposed permit will be drafted and sent to the United States Environmental Protection Agency for a 45-day review period.

Any person may petition the EPA within 60 days after the expiration of the 45-day review period to make an objection to the permit.