Siouxland Energy Cooperative, Sioux Center, Iowa, has operated for an unknown number of years without air filtration equipment on one of its grain bins and was recently fined $10,000 by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
According to reports, Siouxland Energy has been required for 20 years to filter dust from the air emitted by a corn bin. The company had repeatedly noted in its communications with the DNR over that period of time that the emissions control equipment was in place, according to a DNR administrative order.
Last year, the company asked to modify a permit to remove the requirement for the filter equipment because the company “apparently had removed the control equipment from the corn bin,” the order said.
Siouxland Energy representatives told the DNR in November 2022 they were unaware that the filter was required. The bin is used as a backup that holds about two days’ worth of grain in case other equipment fails, according to a recent DNR inspection report.
“They also stated that they were not certain whether the bin vent filter was ever installed or, if it was removed, when the removal occurred,” the order said.
The DNR fined Siouxland Energy and has required it to install filtration equipment by July 1. The company must also do weekly visual checks for dust emissions from the bin and report to the DNR if dust can be seen.
