Buffalo River ethanol plant gets key city approval

By Brian Meyer - News Staff Reporter
Updated: 04/24/07 11:20 AM

A proposal to build an $80 million ethanol plant on the Buffalo River took a big step forward today when the city Planning Board determined that all environmental issues have been addressed.

Despite pressure from project opponents, the board determined no further environmental studies are needed and that the plan should move forward. The board adopted a "negative declaration," meaning members are convinced the plan to turn a dormant cluster of grain elevators into a plant that will distill corn for use as fuel will not have a harmful impact on the community.

Board Chairman Frank A. Manuele claimed the project advanced by RiverWright Energy has already been subjected to exhaustive studies.

"They really did their homework," Manuele said of the developers. "Everything has been addressed."

But some residents in the Old First Ward neighborhood disagree, insisting there are still unresolved issues involving fire hazards, pollution, noise and odors. Several residents attended today's City Hall meeting, including Julie Cleary of Hamburg Street.

"I think it's big business as usual," she said. "I pose this question to [Planning Board members]: Would they want an ethanol plant in their neighborhoods?"

The project must still be approved by the city's Zoning Board. Also, the Common Council must approve the plan because the 18-acre site along Childs Street is in a Costal Review District.

Still, some city officials and project developers predicted today's action by the Planning Board will pave the way for the remaining approvals. Rick Smith III, co-founder of RiverWright Energy, hopes preconstruction work can begin next month on a project that developers say will eventually employ 67 people.