![Jesse Van Beek, Covanta boiler operator, looks through a window to see trash burning inside one of the facility's two boilers Wednesday March 13, 2013, 2013, converting waste to energy at the downtown HERC in Minneapolis, MN.] (DAVID JOLES/STARTRIBUNE) djoles@startribune.com A three-way power struggle is heating up over the burning capacity of Hennepin County's downtown facility. The HERC facility generates enough electricity to power about 40,000 homes by converting up to 1200 tons of garbage d](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/TDWMFX3UH5TGW5LI3YCDCAOW64.jpg?&w=1080)
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's preliminary findings show no ill effects from increased burning at the Hennepin Energy Resource Company (HERC) just west of Target Field.
Since 2009, the county has unsuccessfully sought authority from Minneapolis to operate the facility at its maximum capacity, burning 442,380 tons of solid waste per year instead of the current 365,000 tons. The aim is to keep waste out of landfills.
The county's request for the increase awaits action by the City Council, which awaits the MPCA's report on emissions. If the preliminary emissions analysis holds up, the MPCA report will indicate the increased burning is well within clean air requirements.
The report said that even with increased burning, "negative health effects from the facility are unlikely to occur."
The agency is expected to issue a full report later this spring, and city action would likely follow.
ROCHELLE OLSON
@rochelleolson
