WINTHROP — Heartland Corn Products Inc. plans to build a new production unit to create high-protein byproducts and add railroad tracks to increase shipping capacity.

The project would increase ethanol production capacity from 155 to 180 million gallons per year.

On March 14, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) released its environmental assessment worksheet (EAW) for the expansion project that reviewed potential impacts to air, local geology, soils, groundwater, surface water and other environmental impacts.

Key findings, according to the MPCA, include:

• How construction of an additional rail siding will impact about 1.5 acres of wetlands.

• Facility upgrades and production increases will require an amendment to the company’s existing MPCA air emissions permit to ensure emissions comply with regulations under the federal Clean Air Act.

• The facility has a water appropriation permit from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to ensure groundwater resources are managed for all uses.

In addition to the high-protein production unit and rail project, Heartland Corn Products must install a new natural gas pipeline which will allow the facility to operate at the production rates allowed under its current MPCA air permit emission limits.

The proposed pipeline is a separate project still in early development stages and will require additional environmental review at a later date.

Construction for the high-protein production unit is slated to begin as soon as the air permit is issued. Construction for the additional rail siding will begin in spring 2023.

The MPCA invites the public to comment on project wastewater permit through Thursday, June 1.

The public can review the draft EAW and submit public comments by visiting www.pca.state.mn.us/public-comments or by mail to:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

c/o Karen Kromar

520 Lafayette Road

St. Paul, MN 55155

After the public comment period is complete, the agency will review all comments and determine whether additional environmental review will be necessary. If the agency determines there is no need for additional environmental review, the project will proceed to permitting.