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Heartland's letter said: "We are withdrawing our air permit application," the agency announced Monday.
Robert and Elaine Maust signed the letter March 7, the same day they informed the city of Preston of their intent to abandon the project.
"The project no longer exists," said Kevin Kain, MPCA technical adviser for the project.
Heartland's permit withdrawal halts the environmental impact statement ordered in January by the pollution agency's citizens board.
"MPCA staff will cease working on the scoping document and all other matters related to the proposed Preston facility," a press release said.
The MPCA said it has not received notice of another possible site for Heartland's plant or any other tire-fueled facility in Minnesota.
Heartland came to the MPCA board two years ago with its proposal, and the board decided there was no need for an environmental impact statement.
Southeastern Minnesotans for Environmental Protection challenged the board's decision in Fillmore County District Court. In February 2004, Judge Joseph F. Wieners ordered the MPCA to assess the plant's environmental impact.
Robert Maust sued the city, alleging it delayed his building permit. The city responded by allowing Heartland to apply for the state JOBZ program, which gives tax breaks to industries.
The MPCA gathered more information and took public comments last fall. It received a petition with 4,368 signatures demanding an environmental impact statement, which the board ordered Jan. 25.
ON THE WEB
To read Heartland Energy and Recycling LLC's letter to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and more, go to www.pca.state.mn.us/hot/heartlandenergy.html.
