Lawmaker questions Ricketts administration on controversial ethanol plant
The AltEn plant in Mead, which recently had its manufacturing permit stripped by the town board, now finds State Senator Carol Blood of Bellevue demanding answers from the Ricketts Administration.
By News Channel Nebraska
A controversial contaminated ethanol plant is drawing question after question from a top state official.
The AltEn plant in Mead, which recently had its manufacturing permit stripped by the town board, now finds State Senator Carol Blood of Bellevue demanding answers from the Ricketts Administration.
The plant’s problems stem from its unusual production of ethanol by using corn and soybean seeds coated in pesticides, which found people in town complaining of an awful smell.
At the same time state inspectors said they found a variety of environmental problems including contaminated water leaching into the ground.
In a four page letter complete with 30 specific questions Senator Blood is asking Ag Secretary Steve Wellman how all this happened, how it got so bad and how it will be fixed.
Blood says while her letter is unusual it’s more than necessary.