Beets by they: Funding for PFAS alternative considered
Lawmakers have proposed $10 million in grants to build businesses offering alternatives to the forever chemicals known as PFAS.
FOX 9 has investigated the impacts and origins of PFAS for several years and Minnesota lawmakers made it illegal to use in a large number of products, effective this year.
A company hopes to start a business in Renville, Minn., making a water-resistant coating -- like those made with PFAS -- using beet waste. They're asking the state for startup funding.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - An entire industry could grow in Minnesota to replace the dangerous chemicals known as PFAS.
Crunching numbers
A bipartisan idea would kickstart a business building an alternative, but a budget crunch makes it no sure thing.
Lawmakers agree this is probably a worthwhile idea, but they're not sure whether now is the right time for an investment from the state.
Minnesota-made
The health and environmental consequences from PFAS forever chemicals spread from Minnesota around the globe.
A safer alternative may also come out of the state.
"I think that we all know that PFAS is something we're dealing with and we definitely want it removed from our packaging," said Sen. Susan Pha, (DFL-Brooklyn Park.)
Beets by they
Legislators proposed $10 million in grants to companies that can produce safer alternatives, but right now they only know of one making moves in western Minnesota.
And they saw it in action during a Senate jobs committee hearing.
"It is the plastic-y coating," said the bill's chief author, Sen. Andrew Lang, (R-Olivia). "It's not plastic. They actually told me it's edible. I don't know if it tastes very good."
Cellucomp is the company making a water-resistant coating out of beet waste, which is abundant in the Renville area where they'd build a manufacturing facility if they get a $5 million grant.
They'd initially create about 20 jobs, but with hopes of expansion.
"We'd like to commit to that," said Christian Kemp-Griffin of Cellucomp. "Of course, to scale and to make it really successful, that's, getting the product the cost we need it to sell it at scale, then we need some help."
State competitions?
Some lawmakers pointed out it's a big taxpayer investment for just a few jobs.
But Minnesota will compete with the Dakotas to get the facility started and potentially build an entire industry.
And the environmental groups that got PFAS products banned are excited at the prospect.
"Minnesota has an opportunity to be a leader in manufacturing safe products for global sale and this also means growth of jobs in multiple sectors," said Avonna Starck of Clean Water Action.
All or nothing?
The bill got unanimous approval in committee, but it has a few more stops and because of the budget situation, it may end up with less funding or none at all.
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