Minnesota Senator Jason Rarick (R-Brook Park) and the Senate Capital Investment Committee will visit prospective projects in Duluth, Cloquet, Carlton, and Pine City on Thursday, Sept 12. The visits will occur during the committee’s three-day tour of northeast Minnesota projects, which takes place September 10, 11, and 12.
The committee will first visit the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District (WLSSD) in Duluth, whose coverage area includes Carlton, Cloquet, Scanlon, Thomson, and Wrenshall. WLSSD is requesting funding to design, purchase, and install new engine generators that will convert biogas produced during wastewater treatment into electricity and heat that the facility can use.
“I am thrilled the bonding committee is taking time to explore important projects in our area,” said Sen. Rarick. “WLSSD is one of the state’s largest wastewater treatment facilities. Installing these new generators will allow WLSSD to significantly expand a process they are already doing on a small scale, all while helping them control costs and keep rates in check for their customers.”
The committee will then visit Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, where they will hear about the importance of higher education asset preservation and learn about a water infrastructure improvement project for Twin Lakes Township. The committee will then visit the site of the Twin Lakes project.
“The Twin Lakes Township water project has been in the works for so long,” continued Sen. Rarick. “It is well past time we get that done, so the township can improve water quality, fix odor and taste issues, and guarantee reliable water for its residents.”
Next, the committee will travel to Pine Technical and Community College (PTCC). PTCC plans to construct almost 30,000 square feet of technical and trades laboratories, classrooms, and office spaces. The college also hopes to renovate more than 15,000 square feet of existing space for health science programs.
“PTCC is such an incredible training ground for high-demand, high-growth technical and trade jobs,” added Sen. Rarick. “Their planned renovations will help them improve access to great careers, expand their visibility, and continue to be a statewide leader in workforce development.”
TOUR TIMING AND SCHEDULE
- 11:20 a.m. Sept. 12: Western Lake Superior Sanitary District
- 2626 Courtland St, Duluth
- Project: WLSSD Combined Heat and Power Energy Systems: Energy Generators
- 12:10 p.m. Sept. 12: Fond Du Lac Community College
- 2101 14th St, Cloquet
- Project: Twin Lakes Township Water Distribution System; campus tour and asset preservation
- 12:25 p.m. Sept. 12: Bus tour of Twin Lakes Township Water Distribution System
- 3:05 p.m. Sept. 12: Pine Technical and Community College
- 900 4th St SE, Pine City
- Project: Technical-Trades Labs design; campus tour and asset preservation
PROJECT DETAILS
WLSSD electric generators project
WLSSD is requesting $6.7 million for to implement new electric generators that will allow them to convert more methane-rich biogas into electricity and heat for use at the facility. Purchased electricity is WLSSD’s largest non-payroll expense. Currently, WLSSD is able to convert limited amounts of biogas into energy, covering about 8% of the facility’s energy needs. The new electric generators will enable them to recover 100% of the biogas and convert it to energy, as well as position WLSSD to reclaim other high-strength wastes in the future to produce additional biogas, and thus, more electricity.
Twin Lakes Water Infrastructure project
Twin Lakes Township is seeking $10.4 million for a water distribution system, which includes watermain sizes that vary from 6-inch to 14-inch, services to the existing structures, hydrants, metering station, restoration, and a booster station. The township has been working with the city of Carlton on extending water distribution from the city for several decades, at significant expense to the township.
Pine Technical and Community College infrastructure improvement project
PTCC is a leader in training students in technical careers and the trades, and they offer some of the only technical education options within 60 miles. The school’s $635,000 request will allow them to eliminate three modular buildings, expand their course offerings, meet their growth goals, and better utilize technical and trades space at the school.