Information and Updates for AltEn near Mead, Nebraska
Facility ID: 84069
Date last revised: September 29, 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 receives plan for fall land application - September 29, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received a best management practices (BMP) plan for applying treated wastewater from the AltEn facility onto nearby agricultural land in the fall 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 Sept. 6, 2023. It can be viewed on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Best Management Practices (BMP),” filed on Sept. 6, 2023.
The BMP plan, if approved, would allow application of approximately 7.9 million gallons of treated wastewater on 10 sites near the AltEn facility. These 10 sites total 1,089 acres.
The agency is currently reviewing the BMP plan.
NDEE approves amended land application approach - September 29, 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 Aug. 18, 2023, and NDEE approved the revisions on Sept. 14, 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 Aug. 18, 2023
- “Land Application Approval,” filed Sept. 14, 2023.
NDEE had previously provided comments to the AFRG’s revised proposal. Correspondence between NDEE and the AFRG can be found in the public records portal:
- “Land Application,” filed Sept. 6, 2023.
- “Land Application,” filed Sept. 11, 2023.
A previous update on this topic can be found on NDEE’s “Information and Updates for AltEn near Mead, Nebraska” webpage in an Aug. 28, 2023, update.
Next phase of pilot study to begin - September 25, 2023
The AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) plans to begin the next phase of its solids disposal pilot study the week of Sept. 25, 2023. This includes stabilizing and hauling wetcake off site to obtain data on the feasibility of taking wetcake from the AltEn Facility to an off-site landfill.
The AFRG plans to begin wetcake stabilization on Monday, Sept. 25 or Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. The first truck load of wetcake would leave the site a day or two later.
During an inspection by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) on Sept. 19, 2023, NDEE staff noted a new road on site for trucks to be loaded with wetcake, which includes two truck wheel wash mats to avoid track-out. Bentonite will be added to stabilize the wetcake before loading it into trucks.
The inspection report can be viewed on NDEE’s public records portal in document titled “Site Visit,” filed Sept. 19, 2023.
Previous correspondence between NDEE and the AFRG indicate the AFRG also plans to implement site controls to secure loads, manage stormwater, reduce dust, and conduct odor and air monitoring. The AFRG has also stated it plans to halt work during the weekends and community events to reduce odors.
More information on the pilot study can be viewed on the public records portal in a document titled “Pilot Study,” filed April 21, 2023, and in previous updates on March 24, 2023; May 1, 2023; and May 22, 2023.
NDEE receives revised land application proposal - August 28, 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 Aug. 18, 2023.
The proposed revisions:
- clarify the use of a drag hose is the AFRG’s preferred method of land application,
- clarify the field procedures used to ensure water is not ponding or running off the fields it is applied to,
- establish setback areas around known tile drainage, and
- remove the requirement to document and report producer-applied fungicide and insecticide in fields selected for land application
NDEE is reviewing the proposed revisions.
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 receives wetcake subsoil characterization work plan — August 21, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has received a Wet Cake Subsoil Characterization Work Plan from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG).
The work plan can be viewed on NDEE’s public records portal in a document titled “Remedial Action Work Plan,” dated Aug. 11, 2023.
The AFRG plans to sample the soil underneath the wetcake pile to determine site-specific soil screening levels and to delineate the extent of pesticides from the wet cake to the underlying soil. NDEE is reviewing the work plan.
AFRG begins seed disposal — August 16, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received information from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) regarding the disposal of unused seed corn stored at the AltEn site.
In a memo to NDEE, the AFRG states it plans to dispose of nearly 6,675 tons of seed by trucking it to a waste-to-energy facility. This document can be viewed on the public records portal in a document titled “Disposal Site,” filed on July 25, 2023.
Work to remove the unused seed began around Aug. 1, 2023. The AFRG also listed precautions it is taking, such as watering down the seed to limit dust, covering the loaded seeds, and wheel-washing to prevent track-out of the facility. The AFRG estimates it will take 4-5 months to complete with an estimated average of 3-5 trucks per day.
NDEE approves Title 123 permit — July 12, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) approved a wastewater works construction permit for AltEn through Title 123 – Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of Wastewater Works.
This Title 123 permit allows the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) to construct wastewater works at the AltEn Facility for the treatment of onsite wastewater.
AltEn was previously issued a Title 123 permit in September 2022. A new permit is needed because the AFRG hired a different contractor that is constructing a new wastewater treatment works to treat the existing wastewater. The treated wastewater will continue to be stored in the treated wastewater lagoons on site and will ultimately be applied to agricultural land.
The AFRG’s permit application and the issued permit can be found on NDEE’s public records portal in documents titled, “Construction,” filed June 25, 2023, and “Construction,” filed July 7, 2023, respectively.
AFRG detects methane in monitoring wells, takes precautions — July 11, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) received a memo from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) that states the group found high levels of methane in groundwater monitoring well casings during its quarterly groundwater sampling effort.
The report can be viewed on NDEE’s public records portal in document titled, “Groundwater monitoring,” filed July 7, 2023. NDEE is reviewing this memo and the AFRG’s proposed actions.
The AFRG reports of the 11 wells sampled, eight had methane levels at or above the lower explosive limit (LEL). The LEL for methane in the air is 5% by volume. Of these eight wells, four were also above the upper explosive limit (UEL), which is 18%. Methane concentrations in the air outside the wells were below the LEL.
In response to these methane levels, the AFRG has taken a series of health and safety precautions to protect worker safety and prevent ignition of the methane, including:
- Capping and locking all monitoring wells, and tagging wells with methane concentrations above 4% of the methane LEL,
- Creating a 20-foot buffer around each of the tagged wells where vehicles cannot be parked, idled, stopped or started,
- Performing air monitoring in enclosed work spaces,
- Performing methane monitoring prior to opening a well,
- Directing all subcontractors to implement these controls and others they deem appropriate for the safety of their employees.
The AFRG states it also conducted response monitoring for the treated water pond system and buildings and enclosed spaces.
Moving forward, the AFRG states it will continue to monitor enclosed structures and make necessary modifications to prevent methane ignition, conduct air sampling during future well sampling events, and install well caps to prevent methane emissions. The AFRG also recommends conducting one extended venting/monitoring event to gather information to assess the benefits of installing vented well caps and to inform safety planning.
AFRG submits work plan for northwest lagoon — June 9, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received a workplan from the AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) that describes its plan to pump water out of the facility’s northwest lagoon.
The workplan is available on NDEE’s public records portal in a document titled “Remedial Action Work Plan,” filed June 2, 2023.
The workplan states the AFRG plans to cut access points through the northwest lagoon’s liner above the water line, then use a suction hose to remove water from above and below the liner. That water will be pumped to either the northeast or southeast lagoon.
NDEE receives AltEn wastewater works construction permit application — May 24, 2023
The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has received, and is reviewing, a wastewater works construction permit application for AltEn. This application can be viewed in the public records portal in a document titled “Construction,” filed May 18, 2023.
AltEn previously applied for and received a Title 123 permit in the summer of 2022. A previous update on this topic can be seen on the AltEn Archives page in an update on July 8, 2022. The 2022 permit can be viewed in the public records portal in a document titled “Construction,” filed on September 20, 2022.
AltEn is applying for a new Title 123 permit because the AFRG has hired a new onsite contractor that is constructing a new wastewater treatment works to treat existing wastewater stored in lagoons at the AltEn site. The treated wastewater would continue to be stored in treated wastewater lagoons on site and ultimately be applied to agricultural land. Title 123 rules and regulations can be reviewed here.
Full details of the new wastewater treatment works can be viewed in AltEn’s application.
Documents
Past press releases
Older updates
NDEE receives pilot study timeline — May 22, 2023
The AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) has provided a timeline for its solids disposal pilot study to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).
Removal of non-wetcake solids is set to begin May 24, 2023 and is expected to take five to six weeks. These materials will be disposed of at WM’s (formerly know as Waste Management) Pheasant Point Landfill.
The non-wetcake solids removal timeline is described in a document on NDEE’s public records portal titled “Pilot Study Work Plan,” filed on May 19, 2023.
The pilot study is intended to obtain data on the feasibility of taking wetcake and other solids to off-site landfills. The information AFRG learns will be used to develop its solids remedial action plan. Previous updates on this topic can be seen on the AltEn update page in the March 24, 2023 and May 1, 2023 updates.
NDEE receives additional information on solids disposal pilot study — May 1, 2023
The AltEn Facility Response Group (AFRG) has provided more information on its solid waste disposal pilot study in response to questions from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).
The AFRG submitted a memo with updated information to NDEE. This information is available on the agency’s public records portal in a document titled “Pilot Study,” filed April 21, 2023.
In its memo, the AFRG states that it will remove wetcake, biochar, unused starch and other debris from AltEn. Plans to remove sludge from the lagoons will be presented in the AFRG’s solids remedial action plan.
In addition, the AFRG plans to implement site controls to secure loads, prevent material from being tracked off site, manage stormwater, reduce dust, and conduct odor and air monitoring. The AFRG also states it will implement a community outreach program to provide additional information. It also plans to halt work during the weekends and community events to reduce odors.
This pilot study is intended to obtain data on the feasibility of taking wetcake and other materials from the AltEn facility to an off-site landfill. This data will be used by the AFRG to develop a remedial action plan for solids at the site. More information on this topic can be found in a March 24, 2023, update.
EPA provides air sampling results, statement — April 19, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with preliminary raw air sampling data.
EPA, with assistance from NDEE personnel, conducted non-targeted air sampling from May 31 to June 1, 2022, at the AltEn facility and in Mead. A previous webpage update from May 27, 2022, provides more detail on the sampling. It can be viewed on the AltEn information archive page.
The sampling data is available on NDEE’s public records portal in documents titled “Sampling Results,” filed on April 7, 2023. The EPA also provided a statement explaining the air sampling process and the preliminary results. That statement is also on the public records portal in a document titled, “Monitoring,” filed April 17, 2023.
EPA provides air sampling results, statement — April 19, 2023
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has provided the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy with preliminary raw air sampling data.
EPA, with assistance from NDEE personnel, conducted non-targeted air sampling from May 31 to June 1, 2022, at the AltEn facility and in Mead. A previous webpage update from May 27, 2022, provides more detail on the sampling. It can be viewed on the AltEn information archive page.
The sampling data is available on NDEE’s public records portal in documents titled “Sampling Results,” filed on April 7, 2023. The EPA also provided a statement explaining the air sampling process and the preliminary results. That statement is also on the public records portal in a document titled, “Monitoring,” filed April 17, 2023.
Archived Updates can be found HERE
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