August 2026 Community Update: Focused on More Progress 

The below information has been provided in an effort to help keep the community informed on a more frequent basis about progress at the AltEn site. 

Ever since AltEn ceased operations at its facility in Mead in 2021, the AltEn Facility Response Group (FRG) has been voluntarily working under the guidance of the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (NDWEE) to stabilize the AltEn site and develop a Remedial Action Plan (RAP) for the site. The FRG’s top priorities have been and continue to be to help ensure the safety of the surrounding community and environment. To-date, there has been no evidence of impacts to local drinking water.

The FRG is working diligently with the NDWEE to identify the most effective and safest methods to address the current environmental conditions on the AltEn site. The remedial action plans (RAP) will recommend remediation for components remaining on-site, including wastewater, sludge, and wet cake.

August 28, 2026

Lagoon Solids RAP: Phase 1 Update

Phase 1, which includes solidifying the solids and consolidating them within the remedial until footprint (Northeast and Southeast Lagoons), commenced in late June. After completing site preparation to enable the work to proceed, more than 19,000 tons of raw solids have been solidified as part of performance testing and process optimization. Solidification is expected to be completed in mid-2027 and will be immediately followed by Phase 2, which consists of constructing the final cover over the solidified solids in the remedial unit and stormwater management features.
Lagoon Solids Remedial Action – Phase 1 Status Mobilized in June Site preparation completed Performance testing and optimization ongoing ~19,000 tons raw solids solidified to date Yielded ~31,750 tons of solidified solids Results meet performance criteria Full-scale solidification expected to commence this month Expect to complete this phase in mid-2027

Plant Area Groundwater Update

Two permeable reactive barriers (PRB) are proactively being installed to mitigate pesticides in plant area groundwater with installation expected to be completed in October 2026.
Plant Area Groundwater Update Five deeper monitoring wells installed and sampled in July Soil sampling completed – results will be presented in the On-Site Solids RAP Voluntarily installing two Permeable Reactive Barriers (PRBs) to mitigate pesticides in plant area groundwater Two PRBs being installed Installation started on August 3 and expect to complete in October 2026

Grain Bin Area Update

The former grain bin underground structures and foundations have been removed. The area has been backfilled and is currently being graded to facilitate stormwater runoff. The excavated soil from this area has been moved to the lagoons where it is being used for solidifying the lagoon solids. Concrete and debris removed from the grain bin area were disposed at the Pheasant Point Landfill.
Grain Bin Area Update Subsurface removal completed in July Excavated soil used for solidifying lagoon solids Concrete/debris disposed at Pheasant Point Landfill Expect to complete backfilling/grading this week

Stormwater Update

Treated stormwater will be applied to off-site farm fields and over the former wet cake area on-site this fall. An on-site irrigation system is being installed to enable on-site land application over the former wet cake area. Alos, an EcoVap evaporation tower is being installed in the former wet cake area to reduce the volume of treated stormwater for land application; construction is expected to be completed in September 2026.
Stormwater Update Stormwater sampled in June 2026 – results below criteria Fall land application planned in October/November 2026 (~12 million gallons) Installing an on-site irrigation system for the former wet cake area for land application of treated stormwater Commenced EcoVap construction on August 4 and expect to be completed in September 2026

Stay Informed

Check alteninfo.com for the latest videos and other updates about AltEn site activities.