To the Editor,

By News Team
ads@fillmorecountyjournal.com

Mon, Sep 23rd, 2002
Posted in Letter to the Editor

Comments

We are opposed to the construction of Heartland Energy and Recycling, a plant that proposes to burn tires to generate electricity. The plant would operate 24 hours a day in close proximity to residential and business districts, schools, restaurants, a golf course, the Root River Bike Trail, and two of the most popular trout streams in the state of Minnesota. The criteria air pollutants that Heartland would emit pose a significant health risk to Preston residents and to thousands of visitors to Historic Bluff Country. Emissions outlined by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) include carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter (dust), and other HAPs (hazardous air pollutants). Heartland would be permitted to emit 827.76 tons per year of these pollutants. The fuel bunker holding the shredded tires would allow water pollution from contaminants to flow into Watson Creek and into South Branch Root River. Preston's wastewater treatment facility, which is outdated and currently operating at 99% capacity, would be strained to process an additional 43,000 gallons per day of discharge water from the plant. When Preston's treatment facility fails, untreated wastewater is discharged directly into South Branch Root River. No other plant exactly like the one proposed by Heartland is currently in operation. Assurances that there will be no odor or objectionable noise have not been proven by fact. Comments on the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) need to be submitted in writing to MPCA by October 2, 4:30 PM. The EAW is available at public libraries in Preston and Rochester and on-line at http://www.pca.state.mn.us/news/eaw/index.html#open-eaw.

Steve and Janene Roessler Preston MN

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