Pro-Corn, LLC - Executive Summary

| Accident History | Chemicals | Emergency Response | Registration | Source | Executive Summary |

Accidental Release Prevention and Emergency Response Policies 
 
Pro-Corn, LLC is committed to the protection of its employees, the greater community and the environment from hazardous substances used in the fuel ethanol production process, specifically the natural gasoline denaturant.  It is the policy of Pro-Corn, LLC to comply with all Federal, State and Local laws. 
 
Facility Description and Regulated Substance Handled 
 
Pro-Corn, LLC operates a fuel ethanol production plant located in Preston, Fillmore County, Minnesota.  The facility produces fuel grade ethanol from corn with a process by-product of dry distillers grain with solubles which is used as a livestock feed.  The fuel ethanol production process requires the use of a denaturant, natural gasoline, which is reported to contain 30-40% pentane, an RMP regulated substance.  The maximum amount of natural gasoline stored on-site is estimated to be 90,000 pounds.  The natural gasoline is stored as a liquid and is introduced to the f 
uel ethanol in the final stage of production. 
 
Off-Site Consequence Analysis 
 
In addition to identifying and reporting regulated materials at the Pro-Corn facility, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Risk Management Plan (RMP) program guidance requires companies to share with their communities a look at the worst possible accident that could happen at a facility (as unlikely as that might be) and an alternative, more realistic accident scenario. 
 
RMP*Comp, a software tool developed by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was used to perform an off-site consequence analysis for the Pro-Corn, LLC facility. The worst case scenario defined by RMP Guidance is a failure of the natural gasoline storage tank resulting in a vapor cloud explosion. The software modeling program considered release of 90,000 pounds of the denaturant (pentane). The analysis projected an off-site endpoint for the release. The alternate case analysis also used RMP*Comp and conside 
red a process piping failure with a 1250 pound release and a subsequent vapor cloud explosion. The resulting endpoint was off-site from the facility. 
 
General Accident Release Prevention Program 
 
Through completion of this RMP, Pro-Corn, LLC has complied with the EPA requirements under 40 CFR Part 68.  Process safety information and operations/maintenance procedures are documented on site.  Periodic functions such as process hazard analysis, training, change management and incident investigation are conducted on a regular basis.  Audits of the overall RMP will be conducted on a regular basis to assure compliance with EPA regulations. 
 
Five-Year Accident History 
 
Pro-Corn, LLC has not had a natural gasoline accident causing death, injuries, environmental or property damage, evacuations, or in-place sheltering in the last five years at the fuel ethanol production facility. 
 
The Emergency Response Program 
 
In the event of an emergency, it is the policy of Pro-Corn, LLC to notify the City  
of Preston Fire Department and evacuate all employees from the facility.
Click to return to beginning