Despite opposition, Walz Energy receives go-ahead to continue construction

Published by admin on Mon, 07/13/2020 - 9:32am

MONONA — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recently issued a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit for the Walz Energy facility currently under construction east of Monona, officially paving the way for the construction to continue.

The permit was issued Jan. 12 and came despite overwhelming opposition voiced during a public hearing in Elkader Nov. 29. It covers discharge associated with construction activity and does not cover non-storm water discharge unless the discharge is uncontaminated groundwater.

The permit also requires Walz Energy to follow the storm water pollution plan that had been submitted to the DNR prior to the permit’s issuance. The permit states that “the plan must identify potential sources of pollution which may reasonably be expected to affect the quality of the storm water discharge from the construction activities. In addition, the plan shall describe and ensure the implementation of practices that will be used to reduce the pollutants in storm water discharge associated with construction activities at the construction site and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions of this permit.”

Read the full article in the Wednesday, January 31, 2018 edition of The Outlook.