A proposed nitrogen fertilizer plant just northwest of Grand Forks took another forward step today when the North Dakota Department of Health issued a “permit to construct” after analyzing the facility’s air quality impact.

A news release this afternoon said Northern Plains Nitrogen has received all necessary permits for the $2 billion project. The final permit, issued by Health Department’s Division of Air Quality, followed a 30-day public comment period.

The state received “only positive feedback,” and an endorsement by the Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corp., the release said.

“We’re pleased to have the support and approval from the City of Grand Forks and now the State of North Dakota,” Calvin Coey, the NPN project manager, said in the release. “As NPN continues to develop, we will continue to work closely with our neighbors to ensure a cohesive and mutually beneficial relationship.”

In addition, the release said NPN received approval from the city of Grand Forks “to take an innovative approach to ensure an adequate supply of process and cooling water” for the plant, which will get a large portion of its water needs from the city’s sewage lagoons.

NPN developers continue to seek financing to begin construction sometime in the next year or two. About 2,000 constructions workers would be needed for 36 months to build the plant.

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