Information and Updates for AltEn near Mead, Nebraska
Facility ID: 84069
Date last revised: March 16, 2023
This page is designed to keep the Mead community, Saunders County residents and interested citizens informed about significant activities related to the cleanup and mitigation actions at the AltEn ethanol facility.
Note: Older updates can be found below the Documents section.
NDEE approves wastewater remedial action plan — March 16, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has approved the AltEn Facility Response Group’s (AFRG) remedial action plan (RAP) for lagoon water at the AltEn site.
The RAP describes how the AFRG will treat the wastewater at the AltEn site and land apply all the treated wastewater.
The agency’s approval letter can be found on the public records portal in a document titled “Public hearing record,” filed March 13, 2023.
Prior to approving the RAP, the plan was put on public notice to receive public comments. NDEE also held a public hearing Dec. 14, 2022, to hear testimony on the RAP. The agency has reviewed the comments and testimony and provided a response summary. This summary was mailed to those who provided comments and is available on the public records portal within the RAP approval document: “Public hearing record,” filed March 13, 2023.
Sites approved for spring 2023 land application — March 16, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has approved seven sites for land application of treated wastewater from the AltEn facility.
The AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) is authorized to begin applying treated wastewater on these sites. NDEE has directed the AFRG to apply the wastewater according to the land’s nutrient budget, at rates that follow the NDEE-approved pesticide thresholds, and follow best management practices.
When approving sites, NDEE also considered the following requirements:· Setbacks from waters of the state and other water bodies;
· Slope of the land;
· Setbacks from dwellings;
· Setbacks from potable water supplies, including community water supplies; and
· Depth to groundwater.
In addition to these requirements, NDEE also directed the AFRG to re-sample the treated wastewater prior to land application. This additional sampling follows NDEE’s observations of windblown solids from the northwest lagoon.
NDEE’s land application approval letter can be found in the public records portal in a document titled “Best Management Practices (BMP),” filed March 10, 2023.
The AFRG’s initial proposal for spring land application, comments from NDEE, sample results and the AFRG’s amended proposal can be viewed on the public records portal:· “Best Management Practices (BMP),” filed Feb. 7, 2023;
· “Application review comments,” filed Feb. 22, 2023;
· “Sampling results,” filed Feb. 28, 2023;
· “Sampling results,” filed March 7, 2023;
· “Best Management Practices (BMP),” filed March 8, 2023.
Additional information on the AFRG’s Best Management Practices plan can be found in a Feb. 15, 2023, update.
NDEE approves amended land application approach — February 28, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has approved the revised “Proposed Land Application Approach for Management of Water from AltEn Site” document from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG).
The AFRG submitted its proposed revisions to the land application approach on Feb. 14, 2023, and NDEE approved the revisions on Feb. 23, 2023. Both the amended land application approach and NDEE’s approval can be found on the agency’s public records portal in the following documents:
- “Land Application,” filed Feb. 14, 2023
- “Land Application Approval,” filed Feb. 23, 2023.
A previous update on this topic can be found on NDEE’s “Information and Updates for AltEn near Mead, Nebraska” webpage in a Feb. 27, 2023, update.
NDEE receives revised land application approach — February 27, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received a revised land application approach from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG).
The revised land application approach can be viewed on NDEE’s public records portal in a document titled “Land Application,” filed Feb. 14, 2023.
This revision allows for two testing options for treated wastewater. The first testing option is to collect composite samples from a stored batch of treated wastewater. The second option, called concurrent discharge, allows water discharge while water treatment continues into the same treated water storage lagoon. The AFRG states in the Land Application Approach that this would allow land application to occur at the same time as water treatment.
In addition, the AFRG amended the list of pesticides it samples treated water for. It has reduced the number of pesticides from 53 to 27 to only include pesticides that have been detected in the untreated lagoon water.
The land application approach document describes how the AFRG determines its rate of application for treated wastewater from the AltEn facility. The proposed amendments do not change the facility’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits.
NDEE approves Step 6/Step 7 Environmental Site Investigation Work Plan — February 22, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has given contingent approval to AltEn’s work plan to conduct the required Step 6/Step 7 Environmental Site Investigation.
NDEE’s approval letter can be viewed on the public records portal in a document titled “Work Plan Approval,” filed Feb. 9, 2023. The full Step 6/Step 7 Work Plan is also on the portal in a document titled “Step 6/Step 7” filed Dec. 28, 2022. This approval is contingent on AltEn accepting the three comments from NDEE.
AltEn was required to submit the Step 6/Step 7 Work Plan as part of the Consent Order the facility signed with NDEE on Feb. 23, 2022. The Consent Order states that AltEn must comply with Title 118 regulations, which includes the Step 6/Step 7 environmental investigation to delineate impacts to soil and groundwater. The Consent Order can also be viewed on the public records portal in a document titled “Consent Order,” filed Feb. 23, 2022.
NDEE receives plan for spring land application — February 15, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received a best management practices (BMP) plan for land applying treated wastewater from the AltEn facility onto nearby agricultural land in the spring of 2023.
AltEn has an NPDES permit that allows the land application of treated wastewater, and this permit requires a BMP plan before land application events occur to ensure the treated wastewater is applied in an appropriate manner.
The AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) submitted the BMP plan for spring application on Feb. 7, 2023. It can be viewed on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Best Management Practices (BMP),” filed on Feb. 7, 2023.
The BMP plan, if approved, would allow application of approximately 5.36 million gallons of treated wastewater on seven fields near the AltEn facility. These seven fields total 731.33 acres.
NDEE previously requested the AFRG to sample the water in the treated water lagoons prior to land application to determine if further treatment is necessary. Documents outlining NDEE’s requests regarding windblown material can be viewed on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Sampling Results,” filed Jan. 26, 2023.
The agency is currently reviewing the BMP plan.
NDEE requests response actions from AFRG on windblown solids — January 30, 2023
Following receipt of lab results for windblown lagoon solids at the AltEn facility showing the presence of pesticides, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) issued a written letter to the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) requesting response actions.
The letter can be viewed in the public records portal in a document titled “Sampling Results,” filed January 26, 2023.
In it, NDEE requests AFRG to implement the following actions:
- Remove windblown lagoon solids from all visual deposition locations and provide documentation that the solids have been cleaned up.
- Resample treated water in each of the treated water lagoons prior to any future land application event. A sampling plan must be approved by NDEE prior to implementation.
- Maintain the use of a tackifier to help prevent solids from being blown out of the northwest lagoon. Any future solids exposed as a result of lagoon draw down should also be managed to prevent being blown off the lagoons. NDEE has requested the submission of a monitoring and maintenance plan for future potential windblown lagoon solids.
- Provide an assessment, which is to include a soil sampling plan, of downwind areas at the site that may have been impacted by the windblown lagoon solids.
NDEE receives sample results of windblown materials, tackifier applied to suppress dust — January 27, 2023
On Jan. 23, 2023, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) received results from samples of dried solids materials that had been blown from the northwest lagoon and deposited on other areas at the AltEn site.
Sample results can be seen on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Site Visit,” filed Dec. 30, 2022. Results showed pesticides are present in the material.
In 2022, NDEE inspectors periodically observed dust from the dried solids material in the northwest lagoon had been blown by the wind and deposited on other areas at the AltEn site. NDEE shared its observations with the AFRG. The AFRG submitted a plan on Nov. 15, 2022, to apply a tackifier onto the exposed sludges to suppress the dust. The tackifier is a biodegradable material made of wood fibers and cellulose with biopolymer and water absorbent granules, according to the AFRG’s dust suppression plan. This plan is available on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Dust Suppression,” filed Nov. 15, 2022.
NDEE agreed that controlling the dust was an appropriate action but stated that the department did not see applying the dust suppression material as a long-term remediation action. NDEE’s response is also in the public records portal in a document titled “Dust Suppression/NDEE Response,” filed Nov. 18, 2022.
During a Dec. 28, 2022, inspection, an inspector observed the dust was accumulating in larger quantities outside the northwest lagoon. NDEE collected samples of the dust on Dec. 30, 2022.
In early January 2023, the AFRG applied the tackifier to the sludge in the northwest lagoon. Inspection reports that show this work can be seen on the public records portal, in documents titled “Compliance,” filed Jan. 10, 2023.
After the AFRG applied the tackifier, NDEE received results from samples of the dried solids material mentioned above.
Based on the sample results, NDEE is directing the AFRG to re-sample the water in the treated wastewater lagoons to determine if further treatment is necessary.
Documents
Past press releases
Older updates
NDEE issues individual industrial storm water permit to AltEn — January 1, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has issued an individual industrial storm water permit to AltEn. The permit can be seen on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “NPDES Industrial,” filed Dec. 29, 2022.
Three supplementary documents in the public records portal provide additional details about the permit. The permit’s fact sheet, titled “Basis of Permit” and a cover letter, titled “Issued Permit” were both uploaded to the public records portal on Dec. 29, 2022. Comments from the public and NDEE’s response, titled “Application Review Comments,” were uploaded to the portal on Dec. 29, 2022, as well.
This permit outlines requirements necessary to reduce pollutants in storm water runoff from the AltEn site to an undesignated tributary of Clear Creek. It requires AltEn to maintain a storm water pollution prevention plan, conduct biweekly inspections of its storm water outfalls, conduct monthly sampling of its outfalls, submit quarterly discharge monitoring reports, and conduct site inspections.
NDEE receives groundwater sampling results — November 28, 2022
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received results from a groundwater sample event that took place on Oct. 26, 2022. NDEE’s contractor, EA Engineering Science and Technology, split the samples with the AltEn Facility Response Group.
This sampling event aimed to delineate the presence of pesticides and ammonia in groundwater on the AltEn site. Results can be found on NDEE’s public records portal in a document titled “Sampling Results,” filed on Nov. 15, 2022.
NDEE approves emergency lagoon repairs — November 14, 2022
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) approved a Title 123 Construction Permit for wastewater works for AltEn.
This permit allows the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) to repair whales in the emergency lagoon liner, install gas venting and convert the lagoon into a work area to manage sludge from the wastewater treatment process.
The lagoon will no longer be used to store and manage wastewater, according to the permit application. Water generated from rainfall or from any future sludge management will be removed from the lagoon and sent to the treatment plant or to the southeast industrial lagoon.
Previously, the AFRG removed sludge from the emergency lagoon and relined the lagoon in the fall of 2021. Following the repairs, the emergency lagoon held wastewater from AltEn’s anerobic digester. That water was transferred to the facility’s southeast lagoon as part of ongoing water treatment.
The permit application can be viewed on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Construction,” filed on Nov. 4, 2022. The permit approval can be viewed in a document titled “Construction,” filed Nov. 7, 2022.
The AFRG is made up of six seed companies: AgReliant Genetics, LLC; Bayer U.S., LLC; Beck’s Superior Hybrids, LLC; Corteva Agriscience, LLC; Syngenta Seeds, LLC; and WinField Solutions, LLC. The group has enrolled in NDEE’s Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) to address environmental remediation at the AltEn site.
Public hearings, info session scheduled for wastewater RAP, individual industrial storm water permit — November 10, 2022
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) proposes to approve the AltEn Facility Response Group’s (AFRG) wastewater remedial action plan (RAP). NDEE also proposes to issue AltEn an individual industrial storm water (ISW) permit.
Both the wastewater RAP and the individual ISW permit are on public notice and open to public comment. NDEE has scheduled an information session and separate public hearings on the wastewater RAP and the ISW permit for Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at the Mead High School gym. The schedule that evening is as follows:
- 5 to 6 p.m. – information session
- 6:30 p.m. – wastewater RAP public hearing
- 7 p.m. or after the RAP hearing ends – individual ISW permit public hearing
The public may submit written comments separately on the wastewater RAP and the ISW permit on or before Dec. 13, 2022.
Wastewater RAP
The wastewater RAP includes how the AFRG proposes to treat wastewater at the AltEn site and land apply all the treated wastewater. It can be viewed on NDEE’s public records portal in a document titled, “Remedial Action,” filed Oct. 14, 2022. A previous update on the wastewater RAP can be found in the Sept. 15, 2022, update.
Prior to final approval, the public can provide written comments on the wastewater RAP by submitting them to:Tom Buell
Monitoring and Remediation Division
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
PO Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
ndee.vcpbrownfields@nebraska.gov
Industrial Storm Water permit
The ISW permit outlines requirements necessary to reduce pollutants in stormwater runoff at the AltEn site. The permit and related documents can be found in the public records portal in documents titled “NPDES Industrial,” “Basis of Permit,” and “Intent to Issue Permit,” all filed Nov. 9, 2022. A previous update on AltEn’s industrial storm water permit application can be found in the Oct. 21, 2022, update.
Prior to final approval, written comments on the ISW permit may be sent to:Kim Bubb
NPDES and State Permits Section
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
PO Box 98922
Lincoln, NE 68509-8922
npdes.ndee@nebraska.gov
Archived Updates can be found HERE
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