POET Biorefining – Chancellor received the 2010 Operation and Maintenance Wastewater Treatment Excellence Award last week from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The award honors outstanding operation of the wastewater system and compliance with surface water discharge permit in 2010. Plant team members received the award during the 2011 South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association meeting in Watertown May 4-5.

“As a renewable fuel producer, we understand how important it is to be good environmental stewards,” Technical Manager Tim Vavra said. “It’s an honor to get this recognition.”

“Most people take wastewater treatment and disposal for granted, but properly operated wastewater treatment systems are a critical component in protecting public health and the environment from sewage and various pollutants in wastewater,” said DENR Secretary Steve Pirner. “Therefore, we all owe the owners and operators of these systems a huge thank you for a job well done.”

About POET
POET, the largest ethanol producer in the world, is a leader in biorefining through its efficient, vertically integrated approach to production. The 23-year-old company produces more than 1.7 billion gallons of ethanol and 9 billion pounds of high-protein animal feed annually from 27 production facilities nationwide. POET also operates a pilot-scale cellulosic ethanol plant, which uses corn cobs as feedstock, and will commercialize the process in Emmetsburg, Iowa. For more information, visit http://www.poet.com.

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