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Planning Commission Minutes November 23, 1999 Page 2 . Staff recommends approval of the renewal of NRG's conditional use permit and solid waste license with the proposed changes. Chair Mesich opened the public hearing. Bill Helliwell, NRG Plant Manager, invited members of the Commission to visit the facility. He explained that since the plant opened, 4.5 million tons of waste have been processed, thereby keeping 3.5 million tons out of the landfill. Mr. Hallowell noted that the RDF plant has been operating at capacity since 1996. Chair Mesich questioned how cost of power generated by RDF compares to the cost of producing other types of power. Mr. Hallowell explained that it is difficult to compare to other big producers such as SherCo, but that the cost has proven to be even more economical than expected. Ed Specht, resident on Mason Avenue in Otsego, expressed his concern for litter blowing onto adjacent properties. He felt that the city is lowering its standards for litter control and the issue needs to addressed. Mr. Rohlf stated that he has spoken to NRG about litter and he has done inspections at the site. He feels that most of the litter is from the fenders and wheels of trucks leaving the facility. . Mr. Stotenberg of NRG stated that a letter is sent out to the haulers explaining the litter control policy and they will be fined if they are found to be in violation. Also, NRG is responsible for cleaning up the highway for one mile in each direction from the plant. Mr. Helliwell explained that there is a chain link fence around the property, which does catch some of the litter. Employees pick up litter on a daily basis and a janitorial crew is contracted to pick up on a weekly basis. Mr. Hallowell stated that he has received less than five calls from Cargill since they began operations. There being no further public comment, Chair Mesich closed the public hearing. Mr. Rohlf stated that the permit language calls for litter pickup once a week, but that a mechanism is included to require litter control more often, if needed. COMMISSIONER THOMPSON MOVED TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST BY NRG ENERGY, INC. FOR RENEWAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR A SOLID WASTE FACILITY, PUBLIC HEARING CASE NO. CU 99-33, WITH THE CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED IN THE STAFF REPORT DATED NOVEMBER 23, 1999. COMMISSIONER KUESTER SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 5-0. 5.2. Reauest bv GRE for Renewal of Conditional Use Permit for Solid Waste Facility, Public Hearing Case No. CU 99-34 . Staff report by Steve Rohlf. Great River Energy (GRE), formerly known as United Power Association (UPA), is requesting approval of the renewal of their conditional use permit and solid waste permit to burn Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) at their Elk River electrical generation station. Mr. Rohlf reviewed proposed additions and deletions in the document language. He stated that the scrubber,