Neighbors Oppose Possible Ethanol Plant

A multi-million dollar ethanol plant is almost ready to go up in Posey county, but first they need an air permit. Tonight The Indiana Department of Environmental Mangangement held a public meeting reviewing the permit process for aventine renewable energy and consolidated grain and carge company. A new neighbor is moving in to this quiet Mount Vernon street, a 400 million dollar Ethanol plant. Construction is already underway, but before the building goes up, the company needs an air permit. The Indiana Department of Environmental Mangaement must get public input before they approve or deny the permit. Theres a lot of questions and comments - including some from Larry Strait "My property adjoins it." One of the plants closest neighbors. Strait says hes attended many meetings about plans for this plant. His main concern is air quailty. "Not just the smell the dirt the germs and the disease but theres just so many things." Mainly the pollutants. Documents show the amount of Carbon Monoxide the plant will emit per year is only 2.5 tons less than IDEMs allotted amount of 250 tons per year. "That puts my health at risk." Strait says he hasnt heard a lot of supporters and hes speaking out as much as he can, but isnt sure what it will change. "Its all politics. It already happened a long time ago." IDEM has a few more weeks before they grant the permit, but say its unlikely to deny one. The 30 day public input period ends September 4th. Once the company gets their permit they say the plant that will employ 50 to 70 people should be up and running in about 18 months.