Looking ahead: Permitting

The Schneider ethanol plant will need more than 10 permits, with at least three of those from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management and one from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, said Earl H. Powers, owner of the ethanol company. 

Because IDEM has yet to receive an application, it is unknown what permits will be needed, said Amy Hartsock, IDEM spokesperson. 

According to IDEM and the TTB, the following are general timeframes in place for permit applications:

Solid Waste

IDEM has 180 "clock days" to decide on the permit.

"The clock runs while the application is in our hands and under the review of our staff," said Amy Hartsock, IDEM spokesperson.

Once a permit is submitted, it is reviewed to see if information is missing. If so, IDEM requests the necessary materials and the countdown of the "clock days" stops until the information is received.

Once the application is complete, IDEM begins a technical review and publishes a legal notice opening a 30-day public comment period. If there is "significant public interest," a public hearing is held.

By the end of 180 "clock days" a permit is either issued or denied. If issued, all citizens who expressed interest are notified. If the permit is denied, a company can make changes and reapply.

Water -- Wastewater

IDEM has between 180 and 270 "clock days" to make a decision, depending on the type of facility and permit.

Once an application is complete and a draft permit created, IDEM publishes a legal notice to begin a 30-day public comment period. If there is "significant public interest," a public hearing or meeting is held.

Water -- Quality Certification

This permit is needed when there is construction involving or materials placed into wetlands, rivers, streams or lakes, Hartsock said.

IDEM has 90 "clock days" to issue this permit, during which time there is 21-day public comment period. If there is "significant interest," a public hearing is held. 

Powers said he plans on constructing a pond in the Kankakee River floodplain to supply the facility's water, but because an application has not been submitted Hartsock said it is unclear whether this, or other permits, will be needed. 

Air

There are many different types of air permits depending on estimated emissions, Hartsock said.

Though the timeframe varies depending on the types of air permits, with certain permits IDEM can have up to 270 "clock days" to issue a decision.

Alcohol

The permit process for alternative fuel facilities is more simple than that for beverage facilities.

Permitting takes between a month and a half to three months, depending on the operation, thoroughness of the application or whether there is a backlog in processing.

WHAT IS ETHANOL?

Ethanol is a clear, colorless liquid used to power internal combustion engines, including cars. However, a gallon of pure ethanol contains 34 percent less energy than a gallon of gasoline, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

Ethanol typically is produced from organic feedstocks, including corn and sugar cane. It also can be produced using cellulosic feedstocks, such as grasses and municipal waste. But that process is more difficult because those materials first must be broken down into their component sugars, which then are fermented into ethanol.