07/03/08

Some of the neighbors of the Pacific Ethanol processing plant south of Burley are upset about what they say is a noxious odor the facility is emitting.

Burley City Council members are split on whether the odor is unreasonable - but say they intend to discuss the matter with company representatives.

One neighbor says his family has smelled alcohol and yeast from the plant - but that those smells weren't as strong as traditional agricultural odors are.

The facility which turns corn into ethanol opened earlier this year - and currently employs around 40 people.

Company officials say it is the largest ethanol plant in the west - and is capable of producing at least 60-million gallons of ethanol a year.