Proposed N.E.W. Digester Project near Denmark in Brown County
News Release Published: October 27, 2009 by the Northeast Region
Contact(s): Rick Reichardt, DNR Environmental Engineer, (608) 267-7894
GREEN BAY – DNR is reviewing the plans and specifications for a wastewater treatment plant for N.E.W. Organic Digestion, LLC which is located near Denmark in Brown County. The facility is a waste-to-energy project that will process industrial wastes primarily from Green Bay Dressed Beef Packing Facility (American Foods Group) in Green Bay. The project will also create renewable energy.
The construction by N.E.W. Organic Digestion, LLC is meant to find an economical and environmentally sound solution to the land application of industrial wastes from the meat packing industry in Brown County. The components of the facility include an anaerobic digester, a paunch storage building, an above-ground concrete storage tank, as well as the transfer components to convey material between the different areas of the facility.
The primary challenges to land application of industrial wastes include: insufficient cropland for application of waste; increasing economic pressure on the agriculture industry including cost of land, fuel, fertilizer and waste disposal; the transportation and storage of waste; and contamination of surface and groundwater from land spreading and management of waste products.
Several beneficial impacts of the project include: the production of green energy through the use of anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, primarily methane, from decomposing organic wastes. The biogas will run a generator to produce electricity resulting in less dependence on fossil fuel for the production of electricity. Use of this facility will mean less impact on neighbors during land application, and providing separated solids as an organic source of animal bedding for area livestock producers.
The DNR has prepared an environmental analysis (EA) of the proposal and made a preliminary determination that this is not a major action that would require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement. Prior to approval of the project DNR is soliciting public comments regarding the impacts of the proposal.
The Department will consider comments received in making its final decision. Written or oral public comments on the project should be directed to Rick Reichardt, P. O. Box 7921, Madison, WI 53707; by phone at 608-267-7894, or by e-mail at rick.reichardt@wisconsin.gov by November 11, 2009. Because of furloughs of state employees, Mr. Reichardt will be unavailable to answer questions during that period. People who would like to receive a copy of the Environmental Assessment for this project should contact Tom Tewes at (920) 662-5110 or tom.tewes@wisconsin.gov.
