Milton residents urged to share ethanol-odor experiences
IF YOU GO
The meeting to gather residents’ impressions of the odors from the Milton ethanol plant is set for 7 p.m. Monday in Milton Council Chambers in the lower level of the Shaw Municipal Building, 430 E. High St.
For more information, contact City Administrator Todd Schmidt at (608) 868-6900, Ext. 4 or by e-mail at tschmidt@ci.milton.wi.us.
For those who can’t attend, private appointments by phone or in person can be arranged. Contact Inga Jacobson at City Hall at (608) 868-6900, Ext. 23, or e-mail at ijacobson@ci.milton.wi.us.
JANESVILLE — Residents who haven’t had a chance to complain about odors emanating from Milton’s United Ethanol Plant can do so Monday night.
Consultant Bill Roddy is evaluating the plant as part of an “odor action plan” agreed to by the city and plant in response to numerous complaints from neighbors since the plant began operating in 2007.
Roddy is the corporate manager of environmental affairs for an ethanol plant design and engineering firm in Kansas. He is considered to be one of the top experts in his field, according to a city news release.
Roddy already has talked to residents and conducted an “odor patrol,” and he recommended several procedures to minimize emissions and odor from the plant’s grain dryer.
A plant spokesman last month said the plant had taken steps to reduce odors before Roddy arrived.
Roddy will use residents’ comments to complete an odor analysis and report, according to the news release. The report will provide specific recommendations to United Ethanol.
“The final report will be made available to the public in March,” the news release states.
“This meeting will not be intended to provide information to the public but is intended for the gathering of information about the public’s experience,” the news release continues. “Those who have personally noticed odors that are believed to be from United Ethanol are specifically encouraged to attend.”
Feb 5, 2010 at 1:36 p.m.
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DiGriz....loved the humor! :)
Feb 5, 2010 at 12:36 p.m.
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Once again DiGriz shows s/he is a senseless commenting machine.
Feb 5, 2010 at 12:08 p.m.
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I work in Milton and am outside all the time. I think the smell coming from the plant smells like a brewery, reminds me of being in downtown Milwaukee. I don't find it that strong or offensive. If the residents of Milton want something to complain about they need to live on the east side of Janesville, the dump is enough to make you barf. Or go to the south side when the pig farm is spewing out it's stench. Everyone wants this country to go green and to stop using fossil fuels, but when it comes to dealing with the smell of the Ethanol plant, or the sound of the windmill farms in other parts of this state and the US then everyone complains and yells "not in my back yard!" You can't have it both ways!
Feb 5, 2010 at 8:44 a.m.
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I used to live on the far east side of Milton (very close to the plant) and the only thing I ever smelled was something close to my Grandma baking bread.
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And for those people who complain of "dust"...Cargill is not a dust-free facility. I've been to the plant with someone who used to pick up feed there and the air and entire surfaces (including all vehicles) are covered with dust. Those same people live in the shadow of the Cargill plant. Another person who complains of the smell has a stagnant pond and its odor would choke a rat. Enough said.
Feb 4, 2010 at 6:31 p.m.
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The plant should be within the legal guidelines for oder omission, there is no doubt. If it is then get over it. I too live in Milton. This place provides jobs for people. That is important in todays trying times. I wonder do these same peolpe complaining ever complain about the pig and cow manure smell when it is spread on the fields.
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