US Nitrogen Cited for Permit Violation

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have charged that US Nitrogen erected an ammonia storage and loading operation capable of emitting 23.3 million tons of ammonia per year without first obtaining a required permit.
In a three-page letter issued today a deputy director of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Protection wrote that the company itself admitted to the violation when it submitted an application to amend an existing permit.
"This application states the tanks were constructed in 2016," the letter from James P. Johnston states.
"Based on the information discussed above," the letter to US Nitrogen Plant Manager Andrew Velo states,"the Division of Air Pollution Control has determined that ammonia storage and loading operations were constructed without first receiving an air quality construction permit" as required by Tennessee regulations.
Johnston added that since the operation's potential emissions exceed the five ton per year threshhold, it does not qualify as "an insignificant activity" under state laws and regulations.
Johnston's letter gives the Midway chemical firm 20 days to respond to the charges.
"Compliance with your permit contributes to a cleaner environment and healthier citizens by maintaining the federally mandated Non Ambient Air Quality Standards for Pollutants across Tennessee," the letter concludes.

The letter also recounts the entire history of US Nitrogen's permit including the initial application on July 14, 2011. Since that time a series of amendments have been filed and approved.
The amendment triggering the citation was submitted on May 14 of this year and involved the use of a flare to vent gases.
The letter does not indicate what if any fine could be imposed or what remedial action could be ordered.
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