Grain Processing Corp. now exclusively using natural gas

An Eastern Iowa company has completed a transition from coal to natural gas at its plant, which is expected to slash emissions by as much as 91 percent.

Grain Processing Corp. is using natural gas as the company's sole fuel source for the boilers at its Muscatine wet milling facility.

In a news release, Mick Durham, director of environmental services for GPC, said replacing coal with natural gas will substantially reduce levels of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, nitrous oxide, and lead.

Durham said carbon monoxide emissions will be cut by 61 percent, nitrous oxide by 22 percent, particulate matter by 91 percent, sulfur dioxide by 99.9 percent and lead by 97 percent.

GPS in May reported it had completed a new $83 million dryer house, which replaced 11 dryers that have been permanently shut down. The project cost more than the original estimate of $75 million due to additional environmental controls.

GPC said the new advanced technology to dry grain is making a demonstrable difference in emissions. One of the most noticeable changes is the reduction of the feed drying smell commonly associated with corn wet milling facilities.

In March 2014, GPC reached an agreement with Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller's office settling allegations by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources regarding emissions violations at the company's corn processing facilities. The consent agreement included construction of the new dryer house and transitioning from coal to natural gas as GPC's fuel source.

GPC is a subsidiary of Kent Corp., an 88-year-old family-owned business.