Letter: Confiscating our liberties

Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/04/2009 8:55 AM

Hey Larry, I was on the topic that was handed to me! I was asked a direct question about it and answered it! The E85 question came from the fuel topic. So I didn't even step foot in the pasture!

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Brian K.
Granite Falls, MN     11/04/2009 12:23 AM

Just don't work it as hard...E85 is $$#%$# on an engine....ethanol burns hotter.

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/04/2009 12:05 AM

Guess I got one up on you there Brian, my van is E85 flex fuel! And I will say when prices rise up too high we use it!

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Brian K.
Granite Falls, MN     11/03/2009 11:51 PM

Denise S.....then those professionals aren't professionals. It is corn your are smellling, its part of the process. In reallity, there really isn't chemicals....there is ethanol. If you live near the plant, the chemicals you refer to are not your greatest concern..........an explosion will blow out windows for miles. My greatest fear for you is that it sounds like the community was in a rush to get this built.....skipping a few steps in the approval process. I certainly hope that the local fire department made investments in fire protection equipment for this facility. As for the death valley, I certainly hope your local officials are not stirring the pot with these comments......rather, an evacuation procedure should have been put in place for all those in the area. I'm not attacking your community, as with the many plants that were constructed in a rush to be part of the new ethanol fad, I'm sure more than one commuity is at minimal risk for not being ready for a evacuation. I wouldn't lose too much sleep, I'm sure everyone is ready. As for the smell, its a small price to pay.........even though my truck is 100% oil....not corn.......by choice.

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:36 PM

I didn't say I was against any of these items only that I could understand the hesitaion! I think they are great items and welcome them! If they found oil in my back yard I would allow drilling (maybe not my back yard as I only have 20 feet of it, but the thought is still the same). And I am sorry the smell is not corn!!! It is a very heavy yeast smell, which on most days I do not notice, but the days I do notice it is bad! And it wasn't a guess that the Chemical release from an explosion would kill...with a majior explosion there is no control of the chemicals! Granted a majior explosion is highly unlikely but when certain professionals call the valley death valley, you tend to think more about it!

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Brian K.
Granite Falls, MN     11/03/2009 11:30 PM

Denise S......first off, the the fumes will not killy unless you are very close to the facility, and that should not be the case....if this is the case.....poor planning within your community's planning/zoning department. The plants lack of safety features is in the hands of your contractor that built the facility and hardly a reason to talk put a negative taint on ethanol. The smell is corn, no different than a corn processing plant.....ask those in Marshall about that one. So the option is to kill jobs, so you have fresh air. I'm just challenging your mind on this.......too many are quick to bash oil, coal, nuclear, ect.....but then attack the alternative forms of energy once they are constructed. Just look at the battles over wind turbines....every one loves the concept...."just not in my backyard". Something about eating and cake come to mind.

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:27 PM

Well, If I knew anyone from Benson I might be able to answer that! But Benson might as well be another world to me! Never even been there. I take it they have an Ethonal plant too!

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:18 PM

Brian, The dangers and issues come from many things. Issue one is the smell the plant gives off! It is a distinct and heavy odor! When the wind is just right I can't stand to be outside! The dangers come from something that was just proven as of lately! Explosions and fires! The plants hydrants don't work properly so when they had their fire not that long ago they had to truck water in to help with it! If it had been a larger fire the fire department would have been out of their league! In the case of an explosion they are at the top of a valley, the fumes will settle in the valley and kill anyone who lives there! Fact not assumtion! There are dangers associated with the plant that produces chemicals. I think the plant is a good thing for our community but as I said before I can see reservation for this sort of thing for other towns!

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Denise S.
Atwater, MN     11/03/2009 11:13 PM

Larry, the ignorance comes from the lack of staying on topic and directing you comments about the topic, not at me! I have no problem with you not thinking like me...I am actually thankful for it! This duck is just tired of the change of subject every time you are around! John, I have simply answered comments directed at me or to me! I was on the topic till Larry stuck his stuff in it!

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Brian K.
Granite Falls, MN     11/03/2009 11:03 PM

Denise S.....What is your plethera of dangers and issues with an ethanol plant near your town? Its a plant that has the potential to make money for your community via taxes. Its an alternative to oil(even as bad as it is for your engine). Although I don't fully support the use of ethanol due to all the negatives attached, I don't see the bad in having a plant in your community. If I had been quicker, I certainly would have made an investment in the ethanol & biofuel facilities.

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