Posted at: 08/21/2009 2:30 PM

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Minnesota Ethanol Plant Fined for Pollution Violation

WINNEBAGO, Minn. (AP) - Owners of an ethanol plant in Winnebago have agreed to pay a $100,000 fine after pleading guilty to a federal charge of violating the Clean Water Act.

Corn Plus also agreed to make a $50,000 contribution to benefit Rice Lake.

Federal and state pollution officials charged the company Aug. 3 with discharging wastewater into the lake from 2005 to 2007. They say the water contained the pollutant biological oxygen.

The company processes corn into ethanol fuel. It pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor count of negligently discharging polluted wastewater, which carries a maximum fine of $200,000.

Company attorney John Lundquist says Corn Plus has fixed the problem that resulted in the discharge, and is now in full compliance with environmental regulations.

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