A pair of legislative resolutions introduced Tuesday called for two separate investigations into the state's response to an ethanol plant near Mead that flouted environmental regulations for years.
The first would create an interim study to look at the state's existing environmental regulations, while the second would create a special committee to examine the history of AltEn and the state's history of regulating the company.
Unlike most ethanol plants across the country, the Kansas-based company used seed coated with insecticides and fungicides to make ethanol, creating widespread environmental contamination in Saunders County.
The state conducted dozens of site visits to AltEn's facility about a mile south of Mead, and issued a series of noncompliance letters, violation notices and administrative orders against the company.
AltEn only ceased operations after the state ordered it to stop pumping wastewater into its damaged lagoon system in early February, which drew criticism from state lawmakers earlier this year .
A few days later, a frozen pipe on a 4 million gallon tank on the property burst, releasing a combination of manure and pesticide-contaminated byproduct into area waterways.
The Nebraska Attorney General sued AltEn on March 1 for numerous violations of state environmental regulations. The case remains pending in Saunders County District Court.
In response to both the long-term and short-term environmental emergencies, the Legislature gave unanimous approval to a bill (LB507) from Sen. Bruce Bostelman of Brainard that prohibited ethanol plants from using treated seed if the byproducts could not be land applied or fed to livestock.
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But the Mead community, which has complained to the state about a stench coming from the plant , as well as health and environmental issues since shortly after AltEn went into operation, have raised questions about why the company was allowed to stay open for so long .
Bostelman introduced a resolution (LR152) focusing the Natural Resources Committee on the current enforcement options available to the department "to protect against harmful materials or byproducts resulting from use of pesticide-treated seed or grain."
It would also look at additional legislation that could be brought to help expedite cleanup or removal of treated seed or byproducts stemming from its use.
The committee would report its findings and recommendations from the interim study to the Legislative Council or to the Legislature, according to the resolution.
Sen. Carol Blood's resolution (LR159) proposes the creation of a special investigatory committee with broader authority to look at both AltEn's history and compliance with state regulations, as well as how treated seed is used and disposed of in Nebraska.
"There's no laws that pertain to the disposal (in Nebraska)," Blood said in an interview. "If we don't do it, when ag is so important to Nebraska, then we leave it in the hands of other people."
As late as last fall, AltEn was continuing to solicit for out-of-condition treated seed, claiming to be the final destination for 99% of the discarded product in North America, including from major chemical companies such as Bayer, Syngenta and Corteva.
The nine-member committee, if created by the Legislature's Executive Board, would also study "whether any contamination exists for the drinking water of the cities of Omaha and Lincoln," as well as the costs associated with cleanup of the site.
The committee would be required to issue a preliminary report no later than Dec. 1 of this year, and create a final report of its findings and recommendations by Dec. 1, 2022.
"We know that it's not just Mead, we know there are out-of-state organizations who feel they can do whatever they want because we have no criteria set for them," Blood said. "It's got to be now."
Photos: Mead ethanol plant
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant. COURTESY PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant
A burst pipe late last week in a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead sent liquid manure and thin stillage, a byproduct of the ethanol manufacturing process, into waterways and culverts up to 4 miles from the plant.
COURTESY PHOTO
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
The Department of Environment and Energy ordered AltEn Ethanol near Mead to shut down in early February, dispose of millions of gallons of contaminated wastewater on the site and repair lagoons in violation of state regulations.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
Unlike other ethanol plants, AltEn used treated seed instead of harvested grain for its fuel production. The byproduct from that process and wastewater near the plant have been found to carry levels of pesticides and fungicides above limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
AltEn Ethanol has been the subject of dozens of complaints since it reopened near Mead in 2015 related to an odor coming from the byproduct of its ethanol process, seen here at the beginning of the month. The byproduct has been found to carry levels of pesticides and fungicides above limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
AltEn ethanol plant is seen in this photo, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.Â
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
AltEn shut down its operations on Feb. 8 after an order by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. The state found three lagoons on the site were contaminated, badly damaged and holding more wastewater than permitted.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
AltEn is unique among ethanol plants in that it uses seeds pre-treated with pesticides to produce ethanol instead of harvested grain. It ceased operation on Feb. 8 after a state order.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Mead, 2.4
MEAD, NEB. - 02/04/2021 - A view of Mead, including the grain elevators with Frontier Cooperative, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021. JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
JUSTIN WAN Journal Star
AltEn Ethanol
Emptied treated seed bags are stacked at the AltEn company in this photo taken in April 2019 during a Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy inspection. The ethanol plant near Mead used the seed to produce ethanol and the byproduct from the process to create soil conditioner sold to area farmers.
COURTESY PHOTO
AltEn Ethanol, 2.4
AltEn Ethanol has been the subject of dozens of complaints since it reopened near Mead in 2015 related to an odor coming from the byproduct of its ethanol process. The byproduct has been found to carry levels of pesticides and fungicides above limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
A pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
A notification of environmental concern inspection report from Feb. 12, 2021, noted "flow, dark water and odor," in water pictured on University of Nebraska-Lincoln property. A pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant near Mead late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy,
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
University of Nebraska-Lincoln personnel using a backhoe to place bales and plastic to dam the culvert on UNL property near Mead after a pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the AltEn Ethanol plant late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
A notification of environmental concern inspection report from Feb. 12 noted "flow, dark water and odor," in water pictured on UNL property after a pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at AltEn Ethanol near Mead, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
Water pools west of the leaking digester at Mead AltEn Ethanol on Feb. 12 after a pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
A depth finder measures flow from a leak on Feb. 12 after a pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at AltEn Ethanol near Mead late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
Mead AltEn Ethanol employees use trash pumps to transport water into an emergency lagoon on Feb. 12. A pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the plant late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
Mead AltEn Ethanol employees work to install a trash pump to transport water into an emergency lagoon on Feb. 12. A pipe burst on a 4 million-gallon digester tank at the plant late last week, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
Mead AltEn Ethanol plant leak
Water exits the damaged area (blue arrow) of a 4 million-gallon digester tank at AltEn Ethanol near Mead on Feb. 12, releasing waste material into the waterways and culverts more than 4 miles from the plant, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy
AltEn Ethanol cleanup
A crew works to remove waste material from a culvert southeast of AltEn Ethanol on Tuesday in Saunders County.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Saunders County Board of Supervisors
Saunders County Supervisors David Lutton (from left), Doris Karloff and Craig Breunig listen to Saunders County Attorney Joe Dobesh (not seen) speak about communications with state officials about AltEn Ethanol in February in Wahoo.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
AltEn Ethanol cleanup
An earthen dam blocks the flow of waste material in a waterway southeast of AltEn Ethanol last week in Saunders County.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Saunders County Board of Supervisors
Saunders County Attorney Joe Dobesh talks about his communication with state officials about AltEn Ethanol at a Saunders County Board of Supervisors meeting in late February in Wahoo.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo
AltEn Ethanol cleanup
A crew works to remove waste material from a culvert southeast of AltEn Ethanol on Tuesday in Saunders County.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journhttps://leemun-tcmsv2.leeent.net/lincoln.local/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/09/9092f903-80e4-5f8e-a0c9-828b1a4e95e5/60355b41dcca3.image.jpgal Star
Saunders County Board of Supervisors
The Saunders County Board of Supervisors listens to Saunders County Attorney Joe Dobesh (not pictured) speak about communications with state officials about AltEn Ethanol on Tuesday during the board's meeting in Wahoo.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
AltEn Ethanol cleanup
A crew works to remove waste material from a culvert southeast of AltEn Ethanol on Tuesday in Saunders County.
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
Saunders County Board of Supervisors
Saunders County Supervisors David Lutton, Doris Karloff and Craig Breunig listen to Saunders County Attorney Joe Dobesh speaks about communications with state officials about AltEn Ethanol on Tuesday during the board's meeting in Wahoo.Â
GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star
AltEn aerial
The AltEn plant near Mead, which the state shut down earlier this year, is shown on Aug. 25. Along with the toxic solids spread on land surrounding the site, the environmental cleanup is also focused on removing pesticides from wastewater on the site.
Silver Lab Productions, For the Journal Star
Wet cake in field
This 2021 Google Maps image shows a location north of Mead where AltEn's distiller's grains were stockpiled in a cornfield.
Chris Dunker
Stan and Evelyn Keiser, 6.30
Evelyn and Stan Keiser had hoped to build a cabin on their property near a pond created by Stan Keiser's grandfather. The pond, once teeming with wildlife, is now a dead zone after pesticide-contaminated wastewater from the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead flowed downstream. The Keisers were also recently notified that their private well, which provides their drinking water, contains contaminants.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star file photo
Keiser pond
Pesticide contaminated water that has run off from the AltEn ethanol plant near Mead has been responsible for rendering Stan and Evelyn Keiser's farm pond a dead zone.
Courtesy photo
Mead Tour, 7.8
Curtis Pearson of Mead talks Thursday during a meeting at Mead Covenant Church about the troubled AltEn ethanol plant near the town.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Mead Tour, 7.8
Stan Keiser talks Thursday during a meeting at Mead Covenant Church about the troubled AltEn ethanol plant near the town.
JUSTIN WAN, Journal Star
Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com .
On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS
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