As the bourbon industry moves into eastern Kentucky, the Rowan County fiscal court is trying to stay one step ahead. They recently approved the first reading of a new ordinance that will regulate bio-digestion facilities.
Officials said bio-digestion, in its simplest form, is a process in which a compound of leftover organics is poured into a reservoir. After the organic material biodegrades what remains can be harvested for fertilizer, used in livestock feed, or even utilized as fuel. Distilling alcohol frequently leaves behind leftover organics.
Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark said the proposed regulation will require bio-digestion to take place in an indoor facility, where plants will be held to EPA and state guidelines.
“The Rowan County Fiscal Court finds it necessary and appropriate to provide reasonable safeguards which mitigate potential nuisances such as pollution, environmental concerns, odor issues, noise disturbance impacts, and other things created by bio-digester facilities,” Clark said.
Harry said facilities will also not be permitted within 1,500 feet of schools, churches, and other places the community may congregate.
Clark said a proposed site for a bio-digestion facility was close to a major hosing district.
“How does this come up? Well, we got a distillery coming in that will soon be breaking ground next month,” Clark said. “There was a group of individuals that wanted to invest in digging some holes and pouring some ponds and the place where they looked at would definitely make the dump really attractive to build on or live near.”
Eastern Light Distilling bourbon began the construction of their plant last year. The approved ordinance will have a second reading among the fiscal court November 18.