Buffalo Lake Energy faces fine
Buffalo Lake Energy has received a $285,000 (€204,000) fine from the US-based Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) for operations at its ethanol plant in Fairmont.
Since operations began in June 2008 the facility has breached the conditions of its air and water quality permits.
The most significant violation came when Buffalo Lake Energy constructed and ran an alternative system for the treatment of wastewater that was not permitted by the MPCA.
This different system failed to manage the level of pollutants emitted from the plant and the wastewater was allowed to flow into Center Creek. The levels of toxins present in the wastewater were so high that it could have harmed fish and other forms of aquatic life.
Buffalo Lake Energy has also violated a number of other conditions under the water quality agreement, including poor record keeping, failure to report spillages and failure to operate its wastewater treatment facility efficiently.
Since operations began in June 2008 the facility has breached the conditions of its air and water quality permits.
The most significant violation came when Buffalo Lake Energy constructed and ran an alternative system for the treatment of wastewater that was not permitted by the MPCA.
This different system failed to manage the level of pollutants emitted from the plant and the wastewater was allowed to flow into Center Creek. The levels of toxins present in the wastewater were so high that it could have harmed fish and other forms of aquatic life.
Buffalo Lake Energy has also violated a number of other conditions under the water quality agreement, including poor record keeping, failure to report spillages and failure to operate its wastewater treatment facility efficiently.
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