United Ethanol Blog

Watch this page for periodic updates of United Ethanol happenings.

Jan. 26, 2010

On Jan. 23, 2010, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a production odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The report noted the odor was not consistent with United Ethanol production, and there were visible emissions from the business directly across from the complainant's location. The report also noted that operations at United Ethanol were running within permit specifications.

Dec. 31, 2009

On Dec. 30, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sour odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Upon investigation, plant officials did detect an odor similar to that of drying field corn.

On Dec. 29, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* only defined as a "strong foul smell." The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The report stated all operations at United Ethanol were running as normal.

Dec. 21, 2009

On Dec. 20, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sour brewery odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. As noted in the report, no odor was detected by United Ethanol staff. Wind activity was minimal at the time of complaint, and operations at United Ethanol were running according to permit specifications.

Dec. 18, 2009

United Ethanol donates $1,000 to Milton Community Action Food Pantry. Click here for more information.

Dec. 14, 2009

On Dec. 13, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a strong sour odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces. According to the report, no odor was detected by United Ethanol staff, and all equipment was operating within permit specifications.

On Dec. 12, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of an unspecified odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The report noted that United Ethanol staff was unable to detect an odor. All equipment was operating within permit specifications. 

Dec. 1, 2009

United Ethanol is pleased to offer two, $1,000 scholarships to Milton High School graduating seniors pursuing agricultural majors. Click here for the application and more information. The deadline is March 1, 2010.

On Dec. 1, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a strong chemical odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. United Ethanol staff was unable to detect odors from the complainant's property at the time of investigation. They were also unable to detect odors around the perimeter of the United Ethanol facility. A second investigation was completed, and an odor as described by the complainant, in addition to others not associated with United Ethanol, were detected on Old Highway 59. All equipment at United Ethanol was operating within permit specifications.

On Dec. 1, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sweet and sour beer odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Rescources. Upon investigation, United Ethanol staff was able to detect a slight, intermittent dryer odor. The maintenance department followed up by reviewing operations of the dryer; no problems were detected. All equipment at United Ethanol was operating within permit specifications.

On Nov. 28, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sour odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The report noted that United Ethanol was operating within permit specifications.

Nov. 25, 2009

United Ethanol, LLC and United Cooperative have combined efforts to financially support the American Lung Association (ALA) in Wisconsin's Clean Fuels Team which promotes E85 as a Clean Air Choice. Click here for more information.



Nov. 19. 2009

On Nov. 19, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of an intermittent sweet smell. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as required under our air permit. United Ethanol staff was unable to detect odors from the complainant's property at the time of investigation.

Nov. 17, 2009

On Nov. 12, 2009, we began applying a catalyst to the retention pond at United Ethanol in an effort to eliminate a stagnant odor that's lingered for the past few weeks. The treatment is complete and was effective in eliminating the odor.

Nov. 12, 2009

United Ethanol has taken steps to eliminate odors from our retention pond. Today, we began applying a catalyst to the pond that we hope will eliminate a stagnant odor that's lingered for the past few weeks. The treatment, which was approved by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR), will take several days to complete.

On Nov. 12, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a yeast odor. Our investigation into the complaint discovered an odor from a nearby business similar to that of milk replacer. This odor has been detected from that facility in the past. Staff investigating the complaint concluded the odor was not caused by United Ethanol. The complaint was investigated and reported to the WDNR as required under our air permit.

Nov. 10, 2009

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, United Ethanol representatives met with officials from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to discuss our recent comunications with the City of Milton, including our United Ethanol Odor Response Action Plan; review the results of our August, 2009, and September, 2009, emission testing; and address pending enforcement matters.

On Nov. 9, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a rotten egg odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the WDNR as required under our air permit. The report noted an obvious odor coming from the retention pond.

On Nov. 9, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sulfur odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the WDNR as required under our air permit. The report noted an odor coming from the retention pond and that plant operations were running as normal.

Nov. 9, 2009

On Nov. 8, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* of a sulfur/sour odor. The complaint was investigated and reported to the  Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as required under our air permit. The report noted that the plant was operating within permit specifications.

Nov. 6, 2009

On Nov. 6, 2009, we received an odor complaint from a nearby property owner*. The complaint was investigated and reported to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as required under our air permit. Our investigation into the complaint discovered various odors originating from road construction activities, a road construction accident, and our retention pond. United Ethanol officials reviewed plant operations and all was running smoothly. The road construction crew had started their clean-up process with the accident; but, it was not finished, yet, at the time of investigation.

Nov. 5, 2009

On Tuesday, Nov. 10, United Ethanol representatives will meet with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to update the WDNR on our recent communications with the City of Milton, including our United Ethanol Odor Response Action Plan, and to discuss pending enforcement matters.

On Nov. 5, 2009, we received a complaint from a nearby property owner* relating to odor from our retention pond. The complaint was investigated and reported to the WDNR as required under our air permit.

Nov. 3, 2009

United Ethanol announced it has passed all required air emissions tests mandated by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR). Click here for the press release.

Here are pdf copies of the executive summaries from our most recent emission testing. Complete hard copies of the 175-page certified scrubber test results book and 70-page certified boiler test results book are available for viewing from the WDNR and the City of Milton.

Fermentation scrubber and process vent gas scrubber 
Natural gas boiler number two

Oct. 22, 2009

This clip was broadcast on Channel 3 out of Madison on Wednesday evening, Oct. 21, 2009.

http://www.channel3000.com/news/21387860/detail.html

Sept. 15, 2009

United Cooperative President and Chief Executive Officer David Cramer writes a letter to the Milton Courier newspaper editor addressing concerns of some Milton city residents. Click here for the complete document.

April 21, 2009

The new regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) at United Ethanol LLC successfully completed compliance emission testing during the week of Feb. 16. These test results, and data from other equipment tests performed the same week, were submitted to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on April 21, as required by the plant’s air permit. Independent contractors performed the tests using DNR-approved methods, and DNR representatives were present during most of the testing. Click here for more informatioin.