The Highwater Ethanol plant opened in August 2009 in Lamberton, MN. Lamberton is about fifteen minutes from my hometown, Tracy. The plant opened with the promise of dozens of jobs (something in short supply in the area) and in support of local corn farmers. Highwater was a shining beacon in the area.
Just last week Highwater Ethanol agreed to pay a $150,000 fine and take action to correct numerous violations of its pollution permits. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency fined Highwater for repeatedly dumping unpermitted waste into a overfilled storage pond and for spreading the waste on cropland, both of which pose a threat to groundwater and surface water quality. The state also ordered Highwater to regularly monitor its air emissions and its effect on local air quality.
The shining beacon from within the corn field has dimmed slightly. The very plant that was posed to benefit the area is actually harming it – nevermind the fact that corn-based ethanol is not that efficient or beneficial to the environment. So, not only is corn-based ethanol not the answer to America’s energy future, the plants themselves are guilty of outright harming the environment. Some beacon, huh? There are jobs though, right?
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