subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite map
Sat, Nov 07 2009 

Published September 22, 2007 11:43 pm - TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposal to build a $200 million ethanol plant in Shawnee County met stiff resistance at a public hearing, where nearly all of the 29 speakers opposed the plan.

Kansas: Planned ethanol plant generates public resistance



The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — A proposal to build a $200 million ethanol plant in Shawnee County met stiff resistance at a public hearing, where nearly all of the 29 speakers opposed the plan.

About 150 people attended a public hearing Friday evening on whether the state should grant an air permit to Emerald Renewable Energy, a subsidiary of Cargill, which wants to build the plant on a 300-acre site in northwest Shawnee County.

Opponents said the ethanol plant would create pollution, use too much water and hurt a nearby residential area. One supporter said the plant would meet or exceed government safety regulations and would have special devices to restrict odor.

Representatives of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment said the state would provide written response to the speakers’ questions but did not say when a decision on the air permit might be made.

Mick Mines, a representative of Emerald Renewable Energy, met with opponents before the public hearing. He said the proposed ethanol plant would release 300 to 400 tons of emissions per year, noting that most cars emit about 6 tons of pollutants per year.

The proposed plant would produce 100 million gallons of ethanol per year and 330,000 tons of distillery grains, he said, using 1.2 million gallons of water per day, most of it for the cooling towers. Mines also said the plant would employ about 40 people.

The Joint Economic Development Organization has already offered Emerald Renewable $290,000 in incentives, $50,000 in land acquisition options and has offered an incentive of $5,714 per job created.

Mines acknowledged that the ethanol-making process produces an odor, but said thermal oxidizers at the plant will break down odor-producing compounds.

But Sean Teel, a member of Rural Water District No. 2, said at the public hearing that he was concerned the plant and its emissions could hurt water quality in the area.

“It stinks,” Teel said. “It’s going to be detrimental to our health.”

Sherril Boyer said the plant would be within sight of the official residence of Gov. Kathleen Sebelius.

“I can’t imagine her having her parties (with visiting dignitaries) in her backyard with these odors,” Boyer said.

Paul Meierhenry said he supported the ethanol plant and argued that the water used by the ethanol plant would equal water used by five center pivot irrigation systems.

“It’s not going to ruin your water supply,” he said.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.


Add a comment on this story







autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
: Special Offer For New Subscribers : 32 buy 1 get 1 free offers

Click Here!



Featured Jobs

3 BOOTH RENTALS
small salon atmosphere, lots of exposure, 15th/Main. 417-529-8646...>MORE

HIRING HAIR STYLIST
NOW HIRING HAIR STYLIST. Fun and energetic salon. 417-845-0555, Tanya....>MORE

HAIR STYLIST
for Carthage salon.
417-388-2074.
...>MORE

MARS PET CARE

in Miami Ok. is now accepting applications for a Lead A position, on 2nd or 3rd shift. The position requires a hi
...>MORE

ATTENTION OWNER OPERATORS
we are now leasing on trucks. Call Susan at 888-379-9432 ext 102 for details. ...>MORE

TELLER
Local credit union has opening for part time teller 25-35 hours per week, experience preferred. Apply in person Joplin M...>MORE

OPIES TRANSPORT
Now Hiring Over the Road Drivers with 2 years experience. 800-341-9963 www.opiestransport.com ...>MORE

PRODUCTION SUPERVISOR
Work along side and direct physically and mentally challenged adults in a work setting. Starts $8.00-$10.00 per hour. Co...>MORE

PHONE SALES
Now hiring part time for data entry and phone sales. 20 hour/week. Apply in person at 4710 E 32nd Street. Joplin....>MORE

SALES
NYSE and Co., opening a new division. Will train. Looking for full-time or part-time. Call Mike, (417)448-4732....>MORE

See all ads

Featured Transportation

1997 NISSAN MAXIMA
Loaded, 98,000 miles, excellent condition, must see, $4500. 417-438-1609....>MORE

2005 SAAB 9-3 TURBO
leather, automatic, 83,000 miles, $6800. (417)438-5487....>MORE

2008 NISSAN VERSA
4-door, 4500 miles, 4 cylinder, automatic, power steering, air, AM/FM CD, power windows/locks, silver with black interio...>MORE

1998 OLDSMOBILE REGENCY
127,000 miles, nice and clean, $3420. 529-2207....>MORE

1999 FORD F350
crew cab, 7.3 diesel, 4x4, white, Astro top, best offer. 434-3995...>MORE

1999 DODGE NEON
5 speed, air, 92,000 miles. 417-529-4420 or 417-781-8907....>MORE

PONTIAC, 1997 SUNFIRE,
2 door, automatic, low miles, very nice, $2650. 434-7382....>MORE

2007 NISSAN MURANO
All wheel drive, 47,000 miles, leather, excellent condition, received a company car and do not need extra vehicle. $17,9...>MORE

CHEVROLET, 2004 SILVERADO SS,
all high gloss black paint with full bed cover, 20” chrome wheels, white face gauges, 6.0 liter engine, all wheel drive,...>MORE

1986 FORD MUSTANG GT
Convertible, 5 speed, 112,000 miles, $3800. 417-439-1707 or 417-439-7901...>MORE

See all ads

Featured Homes

916 OREGON
OPEN SUNDAY 1-3 PM , CARTERVILLE. 3 br, 2 1/2 ba REDUCED! 417-439-5010....>MORE

DOWNTOWN JOPLIN

Commercial buildings.
For sale or lease.
For details phone
Bill Martin,
Quality Real Estat
...>MORE

3 BR, 2 BA, FIREPLACE
2 car attached, corner lot. Royal Heights area. $103,500. 417-434-0502 or 417-673-5584....>MORE

BY OWNER: 3 BR, 2 BA
1880 sq. ft., Cedar Ridge subdivision $189,900 417-621-5098...>MORE

2 BR, 9523 HIGHWAY NN
$450/$400; 417-592-2088....>MORE

ATTRACTIVE, COMFORTABLE 4 BR
3 ba, 2-level, 2600 sq. ft. home. Greystone Subdivision, $194,900. 103 Jason Blvd., Oronogo, MO. Open house, Sunday 11 a...>MORE

HISTORICAL ROCK FILLING STATION

on Route 66 with lots of updates This solid old building has 1200 sq. ft. on 100x100 lot, on Main Street of Carter
...>MORE

BY OWNER REDUCED PRICE!
3 br, 2 ba, 1840 sq. ft., remodeled, all new interior, new roof, $79,900. 436 N. Wall, Joplin. 240-432-8336....>MORE

BRIARBROOK
3 BR, 2.5 ba, 1 year lease $725/$700, no pets. 417-310-0056....>MORE

LOMA LINDA
2 BR, 2 BA, 1 year lease, $750/$700. No pets. (417)310-0056....>MORE

See all ads

Other Cool Stuff

COUCH
full size, with pillows, light pastel colors, lavender and blue, no cats, no dogs, no kids, $150 or offer. 624-2197....>MORE

CHIHUAHUAS
Chorkies, WaPoos, Shih-Tzus, just in time for Christmas. $85 to $250. Registered and shots 417-438-6057...>MORE

BOW FLEX EXTREME HOME GYM

(417)438-9041
...>MORE

TWO LIVING ESTATE SALES, ONE SITE

Saturday, November 7, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
28245 Fir Road, Carl Junction, MO.
Follow signs.
Downsizing
...>MORE

COFFEE, END AND ENTRY TABLE
coffee, end and entry tables, Nordic Track Walk Fit, sewing machine desk, (417)206-4958....>MORE

2008 POLARIS TRAILBLAZER 330
2 wheel drive, like new, $2300. (918)961-8995....>MORE

CHEAP PUPPIES
Border Terriers, Dachshunds, Italian Greyhound, Lhasas, Morkies, Norwich Terriers, Shih-Tzus, Standard Poodles (chocolat...>MORE

YORKIE, POMERANIAN AND SILKY PUPPIES
wanting forever homes. Well socialized. Prices $75-$300. Early Christmas presents (417)652-7510, leave message. ...>MORE

KENNELL REDUCTION
Chihuahua’s and French Bulldog’s, AKC, pups to young adults, very nice, Chihuahua’s $100/up, Frenchis, $900/up. (417)394...>MORE

1950S CAVALIER COKE MACHINE
in working order, $350. (417)782-2751....>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index

 

 

The Joplin Globe Electronic Edition