LCCMR approves $5.17 million ENRTF work plan to fund anaerobic digester construction for Ramsey and Washington counties

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources on Sept. 16 approved an updated $5,167,000 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund work plan to support construction of an anaerobic digester to process organic material for Ramsey and Washington counties.

Staff told commissioners the original ENRTF proposal had sought reimbursements to offset processing (tipping) fees charged to residents. After review with the grantee, recycling authorities and the DNR grants unit, staff said that model was not feasible; the revised work plan would instead use ENRTF funds to pay construction costs for the digester, which will be owned and operated by a private contractor selected through competitive bidding (identified in the meeting as Demcon/DCHCI Bioengineering LLC).

Staff and presenters explained several material changes and issues for the commission to consider before voting. The project financing model presented by the private partner includes a mix of private financing, public grants, tax-credit equity, tipping…