INFORMATION #3 10-10-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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r / ~'\( ( II !Ii{ River INFO RMAr/ON MEMORANDUM TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: STEPHEN ROHLF, BUILDING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR 5R OCTOBER 5, 1994 DATE: SUBJECT: UPA AND NSP United Power Association (UPA) Attached to this memo is a letter dated October 3, 1994, from UPA to Mr. Todd Biewen from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. This letter is in regards to an exceedance UPA had on carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an indicator of proper combustion. It is continuously monitored to show whether or not the refuge derived fuel at UPA is being properly burned to avoid the production of contaminants. . On September 29, 1994, UPA experienced an exceedance on the carbon monoxide standard in two of their three boilers. This was due to not enough air flow to these boilers for proper combustion. The reason for the restricted air flow was that the bag house filters, which remove particulates from the exhaust gasses, were plugged. Restricted air going out of the system caused the air entering the system to be restricted also. The exceedance is regrettable, but what is important with this issue is what UPA will do to keep this situation from happening again. In the past, other problems have caused UPA to change operational practices and/or equipment. UPA has been diligent at keeping problems from reoccurring. The corrective action for this exceedance can be found on the attached letter to Mr. Biewen. NSP . On October 4, 1994, at approximately 10:30 PM, a hot load of garbage (on fire) was delivered to the NSP Refuse Derived Fuel Plant in Elk River. The fire was contained by the Elk River Fire Department and the sprinkler system within the building. No fire suppression water left the building, therefore, the fire was of little consequence. cc-SRlCouncil P.O. Box 490 . 13065 Orono Parkway · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425