In 1999, the Illinois EPA raised concerns over the odor associated with a hog operation. What were the implications of this occurrence?
Bion Environmental Technologies installed a first-generation waste treatment system on a sow farm in Illinois in the late 1990’s. By agreement, the farm owners assumed responsibility to maintain and operate the waste treatment system in accordance with specifications and protocols provided by Bion. The farm owners failed to do so, resulting in odor emanating from the hog farm. When the Illinois EPA brought suit against the farm and Bion, we made a business decision to cooperate with the Illinois EPA and paid a nominal fine without a determination of guilt. Bion’s experience in Illinois was a primary reason for our decision to cease licensing our systems and technology to farmers unless Bion would have the ability to exercise control of system operations. As a consequence, Bion ceased licensing of its first generation systems and focused its resources on the development of a next generation waste treatment system and its integration into a technology platform capable of generating renew
