Minnesota Pollution Control Agency examines proposed biomethane project

In Minnesota, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released an environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for a new facility proposed by Dem-Con that will process organic materials through anaerobic digesters at its environmental campus in Shakopee, Minnesota. The proposed facility includes two anaerobic digesters that will process up to 75,419 tons per year of organic materials including yard waste, food scraps, and other organics into natural gas and biochar, creating a sustainable alternative to landfilling these organics. The public is invited to comment on the EAW beginning Wednesday.

In addition to the digesters, the facility plans to construct an enclosed flare, separate buildings for operations and offices, a digester storage bunker, liquid digestate dispatch/biogas holder, biochar storage area, truck scale, and stormwater management system that includes a pond and infiltration basin.

The EAW is coupled with an air permit to thoroughly assess the potential for significant environmental effects and implement measures to protect the environment and nearby residents. The MPCA will release a draft air permit for the facility at a later date.