Environmental Toxins: Residents Say Ethanol Plant Could Poison Town

Wight, the developer of a proposed ethanol plant on the west side of Rockford, has sued several families in order to silence their opposition to the development of the plant. The families were concerned about the air pollution that the plant would produce; much of the pollution is comprised of known or suspected carcinogens.

Ethanol Plant Could Poison Rockford, County Residents

A 130-foot emissions stack will transport the estimated 463 tons of air pollution off site; much of the pollution will be taken into Rockford. Census data shows that about 20,383 residents live within two miles of the proposed site and about 90% of these people are Rockford residents. Of the 463 tons of pollution, about 99.61 tons will be particulate matter. Wight's associates have a history of legal trouble related to environmental, labor and EEOC standards. Wight's design engineering consultant has been sued by state and federal departments of justice for ignoring their environmental permits and also paid millions of dollars in fines.