Ethanol plant pollution to be topic of hearing

A state advisory panel designed to help small businesses present their views on air pollution enforcement issues will hold a public hearing Wednesday on the effect of ethanol production. The Small Business Compliance Advisory Committee, chaired by Robin Cole of The Rite Group, will hold a regular quarterly meeting beginning at 10 a.m. at Cole's Executive Business Center, 5303 Old Cape Road in Jackson. The ethanol portion of the meeting is planned to begin around noon. The committee advises the Air Conservation Commission of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. Cole said he is inviting and expects input from small business owners in Perryville, Cape Girardeau and Sikeston. Public comment is welcome. Comments may also be submitted by writing to the committee in care of the Air Pollution Control Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, Mo., 65102.

-- From staff reports