Consultant Questions USN Test Results

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A consultant who reviewed recent test results from US Nitrogen LLC says the data indicate the company could exceed its permit limit for ammonia emissions.
Howard Gebhart of Air Resources Specialists, who analyzed the test data at the request of Greene County environmental advocate Park Overall, called the test results "concerning."
Gebhart said the data show that if the company's ammonia plant runs continuously it would exceed the 3.5 ton per year limit in the company's permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Even a single ammonia plant, (the company has two) could exceed that 3.5 ton limit, Gebhart concluded.
Overall noted that TDEC posted the results from a carbon monoxide test, but not the ammonia emissions test.
"Why is Bryan Carter of TDEC saying carbon monoxide is okay in the tests? Why does he not mention ammonia in the tests?"Overall asked."Is Midway their testing ground?"
The tests which Gebhart reviewed were conducted in April and TDEC officials have recently acknowledged they have obtained the results.
"The testing results are concerning because US Nitrogen cannot operate the ammonia plant on a continuous basis without exceeding the current ammonia emissions limit," Gebhart wrote.
US Nitrogen did not respond to requests for ccomment.
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