(Odina, SD) — The South Dakota Fire Marshal is now investigating the explosion at an ethanol plant that happened in Odina over the weekend. Many in the community are still wondering what happened. But it may be a while before the right answers are determined.
Walt Wendland is the President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Ringneck Energy. He says based on location of the damage, they have some idea of what may have happened.
The blast has shut down Ringneck Energy as Wendland says they do have repairs to make in the ethanol processing part of the plant. Six employees were working at the time, but thankfully no one was hurt.
Wendland says for now, the area around the Ringneck Energy ethanol plant is still closed to the public. One mile of old Highway 83 on the east side of the plant will remain closed to all traffic until further notice.
State lawmakers from the area say the explosion has not changed their positions on whether CO2 pipelines should continue using eminent domain.
Jody Heemstra with DRG News, Pierre, SD contributed to this story.
