Support Lowered Environmental Review Thresholds for Anaerobic Manure Digesters. 

We, the undersigned, advocate for the environmental review threshold of anaerobic manure digesters be lowered from 25,000 dry tons of input/year to 10,000 dry tons of input or more per year in the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board's 2024 Mandatory Categories.

Anaerobic manure digesters present significant environmental risks to air, soil, water, and public health in their vicinity. The concentration of liquid manure in one location heightens the likelihood of spills and accidents during transportation, collection, and storage. Additionally, these projects can diminish air quality through elevated emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide, and dust from increased truck activity. In extreme cases, digesters may pose explosion hazards, endangering nearby workers, animals, neighbors, and emergency responders. 

The current environmental review threshold for anaerobic manure digesters is 25,000 dry tons of input per year. That is the equivalent to the manure produced by more than 8,000 lactating Holsteins or more than 11,000 lactating Jerseys (approximately 11,000 Animal Units) according to the MPCA. Just seven of Minnesota's registered feedlots are larger than 11,000AU. Our environmental review policies must reflect the realities of our state's agricultural demographics.

Given these concerns, it is essential to lower the environmental review threshold of anaerobic manure digesters from 25,000 dry tons of input/year to 10,000 dry tons of input or more per year within the MN EQB's 2024 Mandatory Categories for thorough environmental review.