By Walter F. Roche Jr.
An outside expert says state officials were were more than likely wrong when they concluded that orange plumes emanating from a Greene County chemical plant in February were harmless clusters of water vapor.
In a letter sent to the state Department of Environment and Conservationm Howard Gephart, the expert, said it was far more likely the plumes were caused by excess nitrogen escaping from the US Nitrogen LLC facility in Midway.
Gephart of Air Resource Specialists wrote that the TDEC conclusions were "unconvincing" and "not consistent with the available evidence and historical knowledge about orange colored plumes."
Gephart, who has served as an expert for Park Overall, an opponent of US Nitrogen's operations, said water vapor would produce plumes with "an array of colors" not a single color.
Instead, he continued, orange plumes were historically associated with nitric acid emissions.
Noting that nitric acid is a known product of US Nitrogen's, Gephart wrote that TDEC officials appear to have failed to recognize the likliehood of nitrogen being the cause of the orange plumes.
"I find that it is much more likely that the orange colored plumes observed at the USN facility on Feb.15 was associated with nitric acid and were not caused by llight refracting through water vapor as stated by USN," Gephart concluded.
The orange plumes were observed by Overall on Feb. 15. She and Brock Wampler, another area resident, filed complaints with TDEC, but the agency almost immediately began to downplay the incident.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Saturday, June 25, 2022
Monday, May 16, 2022
Key River Test Results Sent to TDEC
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Long awaited bioassessment test results to measure the impact of an industrial operation on the Nolichucky River have been submitted by US Nitrogen LLC to the state Department of Enviroment and Conservation.
The 41-page report, which was actually due months ago, concludes that at least by some measures, the impact on the Nollichucky River from the use of its water by US Nitrogen has been negligbile.
The test was required because, in an unusual arrangement, US Nitrogen is allowed to use thousands of gallons per day of river water at no cost for use in the production of ammonium nitrate, the company''s primary product.
It was Park Overall, a local environmental activist, who reminded state officials the tests were long overdue. She was not available for comment Monday. The preface to the report discloses that some adjustments had to be made to the standard test format due to the actual features of the Nolichucky. The report states that similar adjustments were made in a 2016 test.
"There is no riffle habitat immediately downstream of the (U.S, Nitrogen's) discharge.
US Nitrogen takes water from the Nolichucky, uses most of that water in its production, then discharges the excess back in to the river.
The new tests were conducted on Sept. 13, 2021. TDEC officials were on hand to observe certain elements of the testing and parallel tests were performed on Sept. 15 on the Powell River in Cocke County for comparison purpose.
The test showed water was flowing in the Nolichucky during testing at the rate of 1,080 gallons per minute. Samples collected were hand delivered to Pennington and Associates for testing.
"Samples from the Nolichucky similar to Powell downstream had a slightly lower level of dissolved oxygen (and) a slightly higher level of conductivity," the report states. Mace invertebrates, it continues, were at a higher level than those in the Nolichucky.
The report states that the Nolichucky River may be impacted by upstream factors before it reaches the US Nitrogen discharge point. A review of metric scores showed the Powell River had a 26 score, while the Nolichucky showed a score of 14 upstream of the intake point compared to 16 at the discharge point. Both the intake and discharge points are near the the 21-mile point on the river.
The report concludes that US Nitrogen's effluent may not be causing an impact to the bethe macroinvertebrate community in the river.
The report also notes that while photos were taken of the testing point on the Powell River, photos of the Nolichucky were not available due to technical issues.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com \\
Long awaited bioassessment test results to measure the impact of an industrial operation on the Nolichucky River have been submitted by US Nitrogen LLC to the state Department of Enviroment and Conservation.
The 41-page report, which was actually due months ago, concludes that at least by some measures, the impact on the Nollichucky River from the use of its water by US Nitrogen has been negligbile.
The test was required because, in an unusual arrangement, US Nitrogen is allowed to use thousands of gallons per day of river water at no cost for use in the production of ammonium nitrate, the company''s primary product.
It was Park Overall, a local environmental activist, who reminded state officials the tests were long overdue. She was not available for comment Monday. The preface to the report discloses that some adjustments had to be made to the standard test format due to the actual features of the Nolichucky. The report states that similar adjustments were made in a 2016 test.
"There is no riffle habitat immediately downstream of the (U.S, Nitrogen's) discharge.
US Nitrogen takes water from the Nolichucky, uses most of that water in its production, then discharges the excess back in to the river.
The new tests were conducted on Sept. 13, 2021. TDEC officials were on hand to observe certain elements of the testing and parallel tests were performed on Sept. 15 on the Powell River in Cocke County for comparison purpose.
The test showed water was flowing in the Nolichucky during testing at the rate of 1,080 gallons per minute. Samples collected were hand delivered to Pennington and Associates for testing.
"Samples from the Nolichucky similar to Powell downstream had a slightly lower level of dissolved oxygen (and) a slightly higher level of conductivity," the report states. Mace invertebrates, it continues, were at a higher level than those in the Nolichucky.
The report states that the Nolichucky River may be impacted by upstream factors before it reaches the US Nitrogen discharge point. A review of metric scores showed the Powell River had a 26 score, while the Nolichucky showed a score of 14 upstream of the intake point compared to 16 at the discharge point. Both the intake and discharge points are near the the 21-mile point on the river.
The report concludes that US Nitrogen's effluent may not be causing an impact to the bethe macroinvertebrate community in the river.
The report also notes that while photos were taken of the testing point on the Powell River, photos of the Nolichucky were not available due to technical issues.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com \\
Tuesday, May 10, 2022
TDEC Partially OKs USN Confidentiality Request
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Even as a challenge was being submitted, Tennessee environmental officials have agreed to keep secret certain data on air emissions submitted by a Greene County chemical manufacturing firm seeking an easement in it current emissions limits.
The request submitted by US Nitrogen LLC was "granted in part and denied in part" by Michelle Owenby, head of air pollution control programs at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
US Nitrogen submitted the data to back up its request for an easement on emissions allowed during the startup of its nitric acid plant in Midway.
Even as the approval was being made public, David Bullock a Brentwood attorney, was filing a "strong objection" to the confidentiality request in behalf of Park Overall, a long time opponent of the Midway manufacturing operation.
In his letter Bullock charged that US Nitrogen has provided no support for its confidentiality claim and none of the information on emissions could be classified as a business secret.
In addition Bullock cited a state law that states the composition of any contaminants "shall not be considered secret, unless so declared by the department." Bullock also noted that some of the disputed data has already been disclosed previously in a filing with the National Response Center.
Owenby, in her written decision, agreed with that argument and cited the same state law, barring emission records from being kept confidential.c In her decision Owenby said that two of US Nitrogen's requests met the requirements for confidentiality, while the third did not.
The US Nitrogen confidentially request covered two documents containing data on actual and projected emissions and the company's standard operating procedures.
Contact: wfrochejr999Gmail.com
Even as a challenge was being submitted, Tennessee environmental officials have agreed to keep secret certain data on air emissions submitted by a Greene County chemical manufacturing firm seeking an easement in it current emissions limits.
The request submitted by US Nitrogen LLC was "granted in part and denied in part" by Michelle Owenby, head of air pollution control programs at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
US Nitrogen submitted the data to back up its request for an easement on emissions allowed during the startup of its nitric acid plant in Midway.
Even as the approval was being made public, David Bullock a Brentwood attorney, was filing a "strong objection" to the confidentiality request in behalf of Park Overall, a long time opponent of the Midway manufacturing operation.
In his letter Bullock charged that US Nitrogen has provided no support for its confidentiality claim and none of the information on emissions could be classified as a business secret.
In addition Bullock cited a state law that states the composition of any contaminants "shall not be considered secret, unless so declared by the department." Bullock also noted that some of the disputed data has already been disclosed previously in a filing with the National Response Center.
Owenby, in her written decision, agreed with that argument and cited the same state law, barring emission records from being kept confidential.c In her decision Owenby said that two of US Nitrogen's requests met the requirements for confidentiality, while the third did not.
The US Nitrogen confidentially request covered two documents containing data on actual and projected emissions and the company's standard operating procedures.
Contact: wfrochejr999Gmail.com
Monday, May 9, 2022
TDEC: Orange Plumes at USN Were Water Vapor
By Walter F. Roche Jr..
.
Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that orange plumes observed by area residents near the US Nitrogen LLC plant in February were most likely water vapors illuminated by the rising sun.
In a three-page letter to Brock Wampler, one of the complainants, Ron Wilhoit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, wrote that a review of the Greene County company records, including 2.5 hours of video tape, showed that the company remained within its various permit limits on the morning of Feb. 15..
Wampler and other area residents, including Park Overall, had registered complaints with TDEC after observing the orange plumes around 7:30 a.m. on Feb 15.
Overall also provided photos of the plumes. The pictures, which at one point appeared to have disappeared, were attached to the Aug. 6 Wampler letter. "There were no exceedances or upset conditions with other processes at the facility," Wilhoit wrote, noting that water vapors do not apply to opacity limits.
But, he continued, the records showed that there were sufficient nitrous oxides present at the time to produce orange emissions.
From a review of the tapes from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Feb. 15, Wilhoit reported that cooling towers at the complex "began to appear orange at around 7:27 a.m. lasting till around 7:43 a.m. coinciding with the sunrise behind it.".
"Based on the video and knowledge of processes at the facility visible plumes observed during this period appeared to be condensed water vapor," Wilhoit concluded.
Wilhoit's letter and TDEC records indicate that the complaints had been adjudged invalid while the investigation was still going on.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
.
Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that orange plumes observed by area residents near the US Nitrogen LLC plant in February were most likely water vapors illuminated by the rising sun.
In a three-page letter to Brock Wampler, one of the complainants, Ron Wilhoit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, wrote that a review of the Greene County company records, including 2.5 hours of video tape, showed that the company remained within its various permit limits on the morning of Feb. 15..
Wampler and other area residents, including Park Overall, had registered complaints with TDEC after observing the orange plumes around 7:30 a.m. on Feb 15.
Overall also provided photos of the plumes. The pictures, which at one point appeared to have disappeared, were attached to the Aug. 6 Wampler letter. "There were no exceedances or upset conditions with other processes at the facility," Wilhoit wrote, noting that water vapors do not apply to opacity limits.
But, he continued, the records showed that there were sufficient nitrous oxides present at the time to produce orange emissions.
From a review of the tapes from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Feb. 15, Wilhoit reported that cooling towers at the complex "began to appear orange at around 7:27 a.m. lasting till around 7:43 a.m. coinciding with the sunrise behind it.".
"Based on the video and knowledge of processes at the facility visible plumes observed during this period appeared to be condensed water vapor," Wilhoit concluded.
Wilhoit's letter and TDEC records indicate that the complaints had been adjudged invalid while the investigation was still going on.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Sunday, May 8, 2022
US Nitrogen Complaint "Up in Smoke"
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
On Feb. 15 of this year Park Overall, a Tennessee resident and environmental activist, filed a complaint along with photos on an orange smoke cloud she witnessed emanating from a chemical manufacturing plant near her Afton home.
Without mentioning the source The state Department of Environment and Conservation subsequently reported such a complaint had been filed on Feb. 15. "No Violation found," TDEC records show in the result column for the complaint.
Now, weeks later, apparently TDEC is not so sure.
Emails just released last week and posted on the TDEC web site show there is an ongoing inquiry on the events of Feb 15 at the US Nitrogen LLC plant in Midway.
Emails between TDEC officials and US Nitrogen show several requests for additional data on conditions at the ammonium nitrate plant in and around Feb 15. "Please find the requested data regarding the Feb. 15, 2022 complaint," a US Nitrogen wrote in a recent email to TDEC.
"It most definitely is the one I made," Overallsaid after learning of the TDEC complaint record.
TDEC data requests to US Nitrogen include everything from weather conditions at the plant on Feb 15 to company operational data on emissions from the facility during the time period.
"As discussed, US Nitrogen did not undergo any startup activities or malfunctions on Feb. 15, 2022. Also I have attached the cooling tower story board," Kim Ryans of US Nitrogen wrote in an email to TDEC.
Overall said that the mishandling of her complaint included the apparent disappearance of two of the three photos she submitted to back up her claims of excess visible emissions.
Stating that she had been told that computer files can sometimes be corrupted, Overall said,"Oddly, that's not at all what I think happened!"
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
On Feb. 15 of this year Park Overall, a Tennessee resident and environmental activist, filed a complaint along with photos on an orange smoke cloud she witnessed emanating from a chemical manufacturing plant near her Afton home.
Without mentioning the source The state Department of Environment and Conservation subsequently reported such a complaint had been filed on Feb. 15. "No Violation found," TDEC records show in the result column for the complaint.
Now, weeks later, apparently TDEC is not so sure.
Emails just released last week and posted on the TDEC web site show there is an ongoing inquiry on the events of Feb 15 at the US Nitrogen LLC plant in Midway.
Emails between TDEC officials and US Nitrogen show several requests for additional data on conditions at the ammonium nitrate plant in and around Feb 15. "Please find the requested data regarding the Feb. 15, 2022 complaint," a US Nitrogen wrote in a recent email to TDEC.
"It most definitely is the one I made," Overallsaid after learning of the TDEC complaint record.
TDEC data requests to US Nitrogen include everything from weather conditions at the plant on Feb 15 to company operational data on emissions from the facility during the time period.
"As discussed, US Nitrogen did not undergo any startup activities or malfunctions on Feb. 15, 2022. Also I have attached the cooling tower story board," Kim Ryans of US Nitrogen wrote in an email to TDEC.
Overall said that the mishandling of her complaint included the apparent disappearance of two of the three photos she submitted to back up her claims of excess visible emissions.
Stating that she had been told that computer files can sometimes be corrupted, Overall said,"Oddly, that's not at all what I think happened!"
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Friday, May 6, 2022
US Nitrogen's Visible Emissions Probed
By Walter F.. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have been quietly investigating a complaint of excess visible emissions in mid-February at a manufacturing facility in Greene County.
A series of emails only released this week though dated back to February show the inquiry concerns a complaint of excess visible emissions on Feb. 15 at the US Nitrogen LLC facility in Midway Greene County. Several of those emails were labeled "complaint follow-up."
In the email string posted this week, US Nitrogen officials have responded to data requests on such issues as the weather conditions and equipment temperature readings for the month of February.
Officials of the state Department of Environment and Conservation, including Ronnie Wilhoit, have sent the information requests to Kim Ryans, a US Nitrogen compliance official.
A TDEC data site lists an opacity complaint registered on Feb. 15, 2022 with the notation, "No Violation Found." In an April 14 email to Wilhoit, Ryans wrote, "As discussed, US Nitrogen did not undergo any startup activities or malfunctions on Feb. 15, 2022. "Also I have attached the cooling tower story board," the email concludes.
Other data submitted by US Nitrogen in response to TDEC's requests include ammonia injection rates recorded in January for the nitric acid plant and information on the "non-contact cooling process."
"Please find the requested data regarding the Feb. 15, 2022 complaint," Ryans wrote in one email to Wilhoit.
Several complaints about excess visible emissions at the Midway complex have been filed by local environmental activist Park Overall, but each of those were labeled as "unfounded" by TDEC.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tennessee environmental officials have been quietly investigating a complaint of excess visible emissions in mid-February at a manufacturing facility in Greene County.
A series of emails only released this week though dated back to February show the inquiry concerns a complaint of excess visible emissions on Feb. 15 at the US Nitrogen LLC facility in Midway Greene County. Several of those emails were labeled "complaint follow-up."
In the email string posted this week, US Nitrogen officials have responded to data requests on such issues as the weather conditions and equipment temperature readings for the month of February.
Officials of the state Department of Environment and Conservation, including Ronnie Wilhoit, have sent the information requests to Kim Ryans, a US Nitrogen compliance official.
A TDEC data site lists an opacity complaint registered on Feb. 15, 2022 with the notation, "No Violation Found." In an April 14 email to Wilhoit, Ryans wrote, "As discussed, US Nitrogen did not undergo any startup activities or malfunctions on Feb. 15, 2022. "Also I have attached the cooling tower story board," the email concludes.
Other data submitted by US Nitrogen in response to TDEC's requests include ammonia injection rates recorded in January for the nitric acid plant and information on the "non-contact cooling process."
"Please find the requested data regarding the Feb. 15, 2022 complaint," Ryans wrote in one email to Wilhoit.
Several complaints about excess visible emissions at the Midway complex have been filed by local environmental activist Park Overall, but each of those were labeled as "unfounded" by TDEC.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, May 4, 2022
US Nitrogen's River Use Up Slightly
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
US Nitrogen LLC's use of free water from the Nolichucky River inched up slightly in April, hitting 20.188 million gallons, according to a report filed today with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The Greene County firm drew more than a million gallons on two days, April 1 and April 9, the company reported. The largest single day total was 1.664 million on April 1.
On three days, including April 3 and April 4, only a minimal amount was withdrawn for use in the company's production of ammonium nitrate and related products.
In the same one-page report the company discharged 6.8 million gallons of waste water back into the Nolichucky. More than 500,000 gallons was discharged on only one day, April 14. Minimal amounts were discharged on eight days during April.
The April totals compare to a little over 19 million gallons withdrawn from the Nolichucky in March and 9.6 million discharged back into the river in that same month.
US Nitrogen won approval from two state agencies for the use and discharge of Nolichucky River water. The permits require monthly reports.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
US Nitrogen LLC's use of free water from the Nolichucky River inched up slightly in April, hitting 20.188 million gallons, according to a report filed today with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The Greene County firm drew more than a million gallons on two days, April 1 and April 9, the company reported. The largest single day total was 1.664 million on April 1.
On three days, including April 3 and April 4, only a minimal amount was withdrawn for use in the company's production of ammonium nitrate and related products.
In the same one-page report the company discharged 6.8 million gallons of waste water back into the Nolichucky. More than 500,000 gallons was discharged on only one day, April 14. Minimal amounts were discharged on eight days during April.
The April totals compare to a little over 19 million gallons withdrawn from the Nolichucky in March and 9.6 million discharged back into the river in that same month.
US Nitrogen won approval from two state agencies for the use and discharge of Nolichucky River water. The permits require monthly reports.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
US Nitrogen Requested Keeping Data Confidential
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Utiilizing a little known provision in state environmental statutes a major chemical company sought and obtained approval from state environmental regulators to keep certain emissions data from public disclosure.
Documents released this week show the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation granted the request from US Nitrogen LLC to keep some of the data out of the public file.
The data was included in US Nitrogen's response to a series of questions posed by TDEC after the company requested that it be allowed to exceed visible emission limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant in Midway, Greene County.
TDEC has yet to act on the US Nitrogen's request on visible emission limits.
Documents released this week show the company filed the request to keep some data from public view on April 18. The request was signed by company Plant Manager Dylan Charles.
UDEC documents state that applicants can request a protective order for confidential information to prevent public dissemination of any secret formula, process or method used in any manufacturing operation.
The TDEC document continues however: " The composition of air contaminants shall not be considered secret unless so declared by the Division of Air Pollution Control."
The redacted documents released this week show several pages were nearly blank.
The heading on the first blank page states: " observations of NOx and NH3 emissions when the division made visible emissions observations. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Utiilizing a little known provision in state environmental statutes a major chemical company sought and obtained approval from state environmental regulators to keep certain emissions data from public disclosure.
Documents released this week show the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation granted the request from US Nitrogen LLC to keep some of the data out of the public file.
The data was included in US Nitrogen's response to a series of questions posed by TDEC after the company requested that it be allowed to exceed visible emission limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant in Midway, Greene County.
TDEC has yet to act on the US Nitrogen's request on visible emission limits.
Documents released this week show the company filed the request to keep some data from public view on April 18. The request was signed by company Plant Manager Dylan Charles.
UDEC documents state that applicants can request a protective order for confidential information to prevent public dissemination of any secret formula, process or method used in any manufacturing operation.
The TDEC document continues however: " The composition of air contaminants shall not be considered secret unless so declared by the Division of Air Pollution Control."
The redacted documents released this week show several pages were nearly blank.
The heading on the first blank page states: " observations of NOx and NH3 emissions when the division made visible emissions observations. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, April 25, 2022
TDEC Releases Highly Redacted USN Responses
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have belatedly released the highly redacted responses from US Nitrogen LLC to questions about the company's visible emissions during the start-up and shut-down of its nitric acide plant.
In the nine-page response the Greene County firm's plant manager said some of the questions could not be answered with the current equipment at the facility.
"Currently it is not technically feasible for the Selective Catalytic Reduction to provide reliable control of opacity," USN Plant Manager Charles Dylan wrote in the response to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Connservation.
TDEC posed the questions on Feb. 17 in response to USN's request for a waiver from current visible emissions limits. TDEC had originally set a 30-day deadline for responses, but later extended it to 60 days at the company's request.
Dylan wrote that the length of start up phases per year at the plant over the four years ending in 2021 ranged from 30 to 70 minutes.
Dylan added that USN had taken "many procedural and mechanical steps" to reduce visible emissions. He wrote that the plumes from the plant included diatomic nitrous oxide and di-atomic oxygen.
He said the worst case scenarios came during start-ups.
He concluded by stating that the company "had nothing further to share.
Five pages attached to the letter were almost entirely redacted.
The redacted document was only posted to TDEC's dataviewer today after press inquiries.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tennessee environmental officials have belatedly released the highly redacted responses from US Nitrogen LLC to questions about the company's visible emissions during the start-up and shut-down of its nitric acide plant.
In the nine-page response the Greene County firm's plant manager said some of the questions could not be answered with the current equipment at the facility.
"Currently it is not technically feasible for the Selective Catalytic Reduction to provide reliable control of opacity," USN Plant Manager Charles Dylan wrote in the response to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Connservation.
TDEC posed the questions on Feb. 17 in response to USN's request for a waiver from current visible emissions limits. TDEC had originally set a 30-day deadline for responses, but later extended it to 60 days at the company's request.
Dylan wrote that the length of start up phases per year at the plant over the four years ending in 2021 ranged from 30 to 70 minutes.
Dylan added that USN had taken "many procedural and mechanical steps" to reduce visible emissions. He wrote that the plumes from the plant included diatomic nitrous oxide and di-atomic oxygen.
He said the worst case scenarios came during start-ups.
He concluded by stating that the company "had nothing further to share.
Five pages attached to the letter were almost entirely redacted.
The redacted document was only posted to TDEC's dataviewer today after press inquiries.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, April 4, 2022
USN River Use Takes Big Jump
By Walter F Roche Jr.
The use of free water from the Nolichucky River by a Green County firm jumped by more than four million gallons during the month of March, according to a report filed today with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The monthly report from US Nitrogen LLC showed the chemical firm, a subsidiary of a major explosives firm, showed a little over 19 million gallons were drawn in March, up from 14.95 milllion in February
The firm also reported it dumped 9.6 million gallons of waste water back into the river in March, up from 8.2 million gallons in February.
In a related but separate development Yara International which is slated to become the third major masnufacturer to occupy the same Midway site reported that as of the end of 2021 it hadn't even begun to initiate construction activities.
Steve Rodgers, a Yara vice president, wrote in a letter to TDEC that as a result it had emitted no air contaminants during the last quarter of 2021. Under its permit Yara is required to file reports on air emissions from the Midway site.
In its report to TDEC, US Nitrogen said that over one million gallons of water were drawn from the Nolichucky during the first six days of March In addition more than one milllion gallons were pumped from the river on each of the last two days of the month.
On six days in March, including the last day of the month only a minimal amount was pumped back into the river.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmailcom
The use of free water from the Nolichucky River by a Green County firm jumped by more than four million gallons during the month of March, according to a report filed today with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The monthly report from US Nitrogen LLC showed the chemical firm, a subsidiary of a major explosives firm, showed a little over 19 million gallons were drawn in March, up from 14.95 milllion in February
The firm also reported it dumped 9.6 million gallons of waste water back into the river in March, up from 8.2 million gallons in February.
In a related but separate development Yara International which is slated to become the third major masnufacturer to occupy the same Midway site reported that as of the end of 2021 it hadn't even begun to initiate construction activities.
Steve Rodgers, a Yara vice president, wrote in a letter to TDEC that as a result it had emitted no air contaminants during the last quarter of 2021. Under its permit Yara is required to file reports on air emissions from the Midway site.
In its report to TDEC, US Nitrogen said that over one million gallons of water were drawn from the Nolichucky during the first six days of March In addition more than one milllion gallons were pumped from the river on each of the last two days of the month.
On six days in March, including the last day of the month only a minimal amount was pumped back into the river.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmailcom
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
TN OKs US Nitrogen Emissions Report
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that US Nitrogen LLC has fulfilled its emission reporting requirements for the second half of 2021.
In a letter to Dylan Charles, USN's plant manager, Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said the Greene County chemical company also complied with the emission limits set in its state permits.
The company submitted its report earlier this month.
"The division considers that US Nitrogen LLC has fulfilled the requirements set forth" in its permits, Parker wrote, adding that the data showed the company's report showed the monitoring systems achieved the required 95 per cent availability level.
In addition, he continued, the company data showed there were no excess levels of nitrogen oxide emission during the six month period.
"The division considers the report technically correct and acceptable for a determination of compliance," Parker concluded.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that US Nitrogen LLC has fulfilled its emission reporting requirements for the second half of 2021.
In a letter to Dylan Charles, USN's plant manager, Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said the Greene County chemical company also complied with the emission limits set in its state permits.
The company submitted its report earlier this month.
"The division considers that US Nitrogen LLC has fulfilled the requirements set forth" in its permits, Parker wrote, adding that the data showed the company's report showed the monitoring systems achieved the required 95 per cent availability level.
In addition, he continued, the company data showed there were no excess levels of nitrogen oxide emission during the six month period.
"The division considers the report technically correct and acceptable for a determination of compliance," Parker concluded.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
US Nitrogen Files Emissions Report
US Nitrogen LLC has filed a report certifying that it remained in compliance with its' state permit limits on various pollutants throughout 2021.
The 53-page filing with the state Department of Environment and Conservation included dozens of appendices listing pollutants emitted from its Greene County manufacturing plant.
Noting that it maintains a log on the ammount of ammonium nitrate produced daily, the company reported that the amount of nitrous oxides produced remained under .41 tons per ton of ammonia produced.
The report is here:https://dataviewers.tdec.tn.gov/pls/enf_reports/BGAPC.GET_DOCUMENTS?p_file=93677776292235767
The 53-page filing with the state Department of Environment and Conservation included dozens of appendices listing pollutants emitted from its Greene County manufacturing plant.
Noting that it maintains a log on the ammount of ammonium nitrate produced daily, the company reported that the amount of nitrous oxides produced remained under .41 tons per ton of ammonia produced.
The report is here:https://dataviewers.tdec.tn.gov/pls/enf_reports/BGAPC.GET_DOCUMENTS?p_file=93677776292235767
Thursday, March 17, 2022
Austin Powder in $5.3 Million EPA Settlement
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Austin Powder Co has reached a multimillion dollar settlement to vastly reduce pollution in Ohio rivers in and around its main explosives manufacturing facility.
In a settlement agreement announced today the company agreed to make a series of improvements in two wastewater treatment facilities that feed water into tributaries of the Ohio River.
In addition to the $3 million in improvements to its treatment facilities, the company agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty, according to the U.S Justice Department. The improvements will be made in and around Austin's so-called Red Diamond facilities in McArthur, Ohio.
Austin is the owner of US Nitrogen, a Tennessee manufacturer of chemicals used in the production of explosives.
The $2.3 million civil settlement was due to hundred of violations of the federal Clean Water Act dating back to 2013.
“Industrial dischargers must ensure their operations do not foul our nation’s waters,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“The improvements required by this settlement will greatly improve Austin Powder’s compliance with its permits and improve the health of the Ohio River and its tributaries,” he added.
his settlement will prevent tens of thousands of pounds of pollutants from entering Ohio streams and rivers each year,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The proposed 277-page consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and a judge's approval after it is published in the Federal Register.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the proposed consent agreement, it was filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Austin Powder Co has reached a multimillion dollar settlement to vastly reduce pollution in Ohio rivers in and around its main explosives manufacturing facility.
In a settlement agreement announced today the company agreed to make a series of improvements in two wastewater treatment facilities that feed water into tributaries of the Ohio River.
In addition to the $3 million in improvements to its treatment facilities, the company agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty, according to the U.S Justice Department. The improvements will be made in and around Austin's so-called Red Diamond facilities in McArthur, Ohio.
Austin is the owner of US Nitrogen, a Tennessee manufacturer of chemicals used in the production of explosives.
The $2.3 million civil settlement was due to hundred of violations of the federal Clean Water Act dating back to 2013.
“Industrial dischargers must ensure their operations do not foul our nation’s waters,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“The improvements required by this settlement will greatly improve Austin Powder’s compliance with its permits and improve the health of the Ohio River and its tributaries,” he added.
his settlement will prevent tens of thousands of pounds of pollutants from entering Ohio streams and rivers each year,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The proposed 277-page consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and a judge's approval after it is published in the Federal Register.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the proposed consent agreement, it was filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Explosion at SA Austin Facility
Three people were injured Wednesday when an explosion occurred in an explosives manufacturing facility in Rafaela Argentina.
According to press accounts the explosion occurred in an Austin Powder explosives plant at 2:30 in the morning when a shift change was taking place.
One of the three injured workers had to be hospitalized.
The plant manufactures explosives for use in the mining and other industries. Austin Powder owns US Nitrogen LLC, the Greeneville, Tenn. company that produces ammonium nitrate which is shipped to other Austin facilities for the production of explosives.
According to press accounts the Rafaela explosion was triggered by excess pressure in a distillation tower and it could be heard throughout the city.
Austin has operated in Argentina since 1993 when it bought out a local explosives manufacturer.
Wednesday, March 2, 2022
US Nitrogen Submits River Report
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
A Greene County chemical firm has submitted its monthly report on the use of free river water that includes an unusual footnote for six dates in the month of February.
The report from US Nitrogen LLC states that the firm withdrew just shy of 15 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month.
In addition the company reported it discharged an additional 8.7 million gallons back into the river.
A footnote to the report from Plant Manager Charles Dylan states, "The instantaneous max has been recorded for Feb 3, 15, 16,17,22, and 25."
"The design capacity for the two pumps in operation is 1,350 GPM (gallons per minute), which is our permitted rate," the note concludes.
In previous recent reports, a footnote has stated that due to an equipment malfunction the daily figures were estimated based on the capacity of the pumps used to send the water to the Midway plant through a 12 mile pipeline.
A request for an explanation of the new language to Dylan was not immediately answered.
The report does state that the largest amount of water drawn from the river in a single day was 1.1 million gallons on Feb. 2. The daily withdrawal amounts exceeded nine million gallons on five days.
The largest daily amount discharged back into the river was a little over 600,000 gallons on Feb. 2. The daily discharge exceeded 500,000 gallons on five days in February.
Over the objections of local environmental activists, he company gained approval from two separate state agencies to allow for the use of the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate.
Contact: wfroche jr999@gmail.com
A Greene County chemical firm has submitted its monthly report on the use of free river water that includes an unusual footnote for six dates in the month of February.
The report from US Nitrogen LLC states that the firm withdrew just shy of 15 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month.
In addition the company reported it discharged an additional 8.7 million gallons back into the river.
A footnote to the report from Plant Manager Charles Dylan states, "The instantaneous max has been recorded for Feb 3, 15, 16,17,22, and 25."
"The design capacity for the two pumps in operation is 1,350 GPM (gallons per minute), which is our permitted rate," the note concludes.
In previous recent reports, a footnote has stated that due to an equipment malfunction the daily figures were estimated based on the capacity of the pumps used to send the water to the Midway plant through a 12 mile pipeline.
A request for an explanation of the new language to Dylan was not immediately answered.
The report does state that the largest amount of water drawn from the river in a single day was 1.1 million gallons on Feb. 2. The daily withdrawal amounts exceeded nine million gallons on five days.
The largest daily amount discharged back into the river was a little over 600,000 gallons on Feb. 2. The daily discharge exceeded 500,000 gallons on five days in February.
Over the objections of local environmental activists, he company gained approval from two separate state agencies to allow for the use of the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate.
Contact: wfroche jr999@gmail.com
Thursday, February 24, 2022
USN Gets More Time to Submit Data
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
US Nitrogen LLC has been given another 30 days to collect data requested by the state to back up the company's own request for a loosening of opacity limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant.
In a letter this week to USN's plant manager Dylan Charles, Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation wrote that at the company's request the new deadline to submit the data has been set for April 19.
Opacity limits have been an issue since US Nitrogen opened its Greene County manufacturing facility in 2019.
According to Owenby's letter the extension was not formally requested but was sent to a TDEC official in a Feb. 21 email from Steven Wallace, a USN environmental official.
The extension is just the latest in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between the chemical firm and state environmental on the limits on opacity limits duirng the startups and shutdowns at the acid plant. The nitric acid is used in the production of ammonium nitrate, USN's principal product.
Though the state had been developing those opacity standards, USN asked for a delay, but then reversed itself and asked the state to resume its efforts.
TDEC then asked USN for the additional data and gave a 30 day deadline for submission. That triggered USN's request for the 30 day extension.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
US Nitrogen LLC has been given another 30 days to collect data requested by the state to back up the company's own request for a loosening of opacity limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant.
In a letter this week to USN's plant manager Dylan Charles, Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation wrote that at the company's request the new deadline to submit the data has been set for April 19.
Opacity limits have been an issue since US Nitrogen opened its Greene County manufacturing facility in 2019.
According to Owenby's letter the extension was not formally requested but was sent to a TDEC official in a Feb. 21 email from Steven Wallace, a USN environmental official.
The extension is just the latest in a series of back-and-forth exchanges between the chemical firm and state environmental on the limits on opacity limits duirng the startups and shutdowns at the acid plant. The nitric acid is used in the production of ammonium nitrate, USN's principal product.
Though the state had been developing those opacity standards, USN asked for a delay, but then reversed itself and asked the state to resume its efforts.
TDEC then asked USN for the additional data and gave a 30 day deadline for submission. That triggered USN's request for the 30 day extension.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Sunday, February 20, 2022
State Seeks More Info on USN Request
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials are seeking detailed information from a Greene County chemical firm on its request to ease air pollution limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant.
In a letter sent last week to Dylan Charles, plant manager of US Nitrogen LLC, an official of the state Department of Environment and Conservation said the detailed data should be provided within 30 days.
The request comes after US Nitrogen reversed course and asked TDEC to develop a "source specific" amendment to the state implementation plan on the opacity limits for startups, and shutdowns of US Nitrogen's nitric acid plant.
US Nitrogen had previously asked TDEC to "hold off" on setting specific new limits for US Nitrogen.
In the letter Michelle Owenby, a TDEC director, said US Nitrogen should provide data on the recorded emissions levels during prior startups and shutdowns from Sept. 11 2016 to Feb. 23, 2018.
Charles requested the new state effort in December of last year, but the request was not made public untill January.
The data requested includes USN's definition of a startup and the actual duration of startups and the number of startups during the specified time period.
TDEC also wants to know the chemical composition of the emissions and the efforts US Nitrogen has made to minimize those emissions.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tennessee environmental officials are seeking detailed information from a Greene County chemical firm on its request to ease air pollution limits during startups and shutdowns of its nitric acid plant.
In a letter sent last week to Dylan Charles, plant manager of US Nitrogen LLC, an official of the state Department of Environment and Conservation said the detailed data should be provided within 30 days.
The request comes after US Nitrogen reversed course and asked TDEC to develop a "source specific" amendment to the state implementation plan on the opacity limits for startups, and shutdowns of US Nitrogen's nitric acid plant.
US Nitrogen had previously asked TDEC to "hold off" on setting specific new limits for US Nitrogen.
In the letter Michelle Owenby, a TDEC director, said US Nitrogen should provide data on the recorded emissions levels during prior startups and shutdowns from Sept. 11 2016 to Feb. 23, 2018.
Charles requested the new state effort in December of last year, but the request was not made public untill January.
The data requested includes USN's definition of a startup and the actual duration of startups and the number of startups during the specified time period.
TDEC also wants to know the chemical composition of the emissions and the efforts US Nitrogen has made to minimize those emissions.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, February 10, 2022
USN Parent Planning Corrective Action
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The parent company of a Greene County chemical firm has hired a contractor to take corrective action on a series of environmental violations at its 600 plus acre facility in Davidson County.
Ryan Evans, a biologist,in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville office, said a corrective action plan submitted by the Austin Powder Co.has been approved.
The corps and the state Department of Environment and Conservation had cited Austin for altering and blocking waterways and conducting unauthorized logging on its 600 acre property in Pegram.
Austin, based in Ohio, owns US Nitrogen which operates a manufacturing facility in Midway. The ammonium nitrate produced by US Nitrogen is used by Austin to manufacture explosives.
Evans said Austin has hired a contractor to execute the action plan.
The corrective action plan was submitted last year and approved Aug. 23, Evans said.
Both TDEC and the Army corp have cited Austin for unauthorized logging and land clearing. The firm was also cited for violations of the state Water Quality Act. along with violations of the state Water Quality Act.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com Laborer Austin Powder | Pegram, TN Posted 2 days ago RE: [Non-DoD Source] You replied on Thu 2/10/2022 6:24 PM You replied on Thu 2/10/2022 6:24 PM Peoples, William L (Bill) CIV USARMY CELRN (USA)
Thu 2/10/2022 2:55 PM
Wally,
Here is our statement.
On August 17, 2021 Austin Powder provided a Corrective Action Plan for the
impacted site to the Corps. The Corps issued a Nationwide permit on August
23, 2021 authorizing implementation of the Corrective Action Plan. Based on
correspondence on February 7, 2022, Austin Powder has secured a contractor
who will be undertaking the corrective action measures.
This can be attributed to Ryan Evans, biologist, Regulatory Division, Nashville District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
He also told me that Austin Powers has until March 18 to complete all the elements of the corrective action plan.
The parent company of a Greene County chemical firm has hired a contractor to take corrective action on a series of environmental violations at its 600 plus acre facility in Davidson County.
Ryan Evans, a biologist,in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nashville office, said a corrective action plan submitted by the Austin Powder Co.has been approved.
The corps and the state Department of Environment and Conservation had cited Austin for altering and blocking waterways and conducting unauthorized logging on its 600 acre property in Pegram.
Austin, based in Ohio, owns US Nitrogen which operates a manufacturing facility in Midway. The ammonium nitrate produced by US Nitrogen is used by Austin to manufacture explosives.
Evans said Austin has hired a contractor to execute the action plan.
The corrective action plan was submitted last year and approved Aug. 23, Evans said.
Both TDEC and the Army corp have cited Austin for unauthorized logging and land clearing. The firm was also cited for violations of the state Water Quality Act. along with violations of the state Water Quality Act.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com Laborer Austin Powder | Pegram, TN Posted 2 days ago RE: [Non-DoD Source] You replied on Thu 2/10/2022 6:24 PM You replied on Thu 2/10/2022 6:24 PM Peoples, William L (Bill) CIV USARMY CELRN (USA)
Friday, January 21, 2022
US Nitrogen Seeks Eased Opacity Limits
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
In a request made more than a month ago a major Green County chemical firm has asked state officials to ease opacity limits during the startup of its nitric acid plant in Midway.
In the one-page letter to Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Dylan Charles plant manager of US Nitrogen LLC said the company wanted the state to resume efforts to come up with a new less restrictive emission limit.
Charles acknowledged that the delay in setting new lower limits came only because his company had requested it in March of 2019.
"I am now requesting that the division re-start its efforts related to the source specific SIO (State Inplementation Plan) revision," Charles wrote in the Dec. 13 letter to Owenby.
Charles also requested a meeting with TDEC officials on its request.
Excess visible emissions during start-up of the nitric acid plant has been a recurring issue between state regulators and US Nitrogen. Those issues came to light during the initial start-up of the plant in September of 2016.
Excessive visible emissions have also generated complaints from area residents and environmental advocates like Park Overall.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
In a request made more than a month ago a major Green County chemical firm has asked state officials to ease opacity limits during the startup of its nitric acid plant in Midway.
In the one-page letter to Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Dylan Charles plant manager of US Nitrogen LLC said the company wanted the state to resume efforts to come up with a new less restrictive emission limit.
Charles acknowledged that the delay in setting new lower limits came only because his company had requested it in March of 2019.
"I am now requesting that the division re-start its efforts related to the source specific SIO (State Inplementation Plan) revision," Charles wrote in the Dec. 13 letter to Owenby.
Charles also requested a meeting with TDEC officials on its request.
Excess visible emissions during start-up of the nitric acid plant has been a recurring issue between state regulators and US Nitrogen. Those issues came to light during the initial start-up of the plant in September of 2016.
Excessive visible emissions have also generated complaints from area residents and environmental advocates like Park Overall.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 19, 2022
US Nitrogen's Parent Has 4 More TN Location
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
The parent company of Greeneville's US Nitrogen has four other facilities in Tennessee, twice the amount reported recently.
In addition to operations in Lafollette and Davidson County, Ohio based Austin Powder has facilities in Dunlop TN in Sequatchie County and Blountville Sullivan County.
When US Nitrogen announced its plans to locate in Tennessee company officials left the clear impression that products produced in Greene County would have to be shipped to other states like Ohio for producing explosives, the company's primary product.
At least two of the other Austin facilites in Tennessee have the facilities to make explosives with US Nitrogen's primary product, ammonium nitrate.
According to state and county land records Austin Powder owns 54 acres in Sullivan County and over 600 acres in Davidson County.
A request made to Austin Powder for the products produced at each of its Tennessee plants went unanswered.
Additional Austin Powder U.S. locations include Connecticut, Kentucky and Pennsylvania and multiple sites in its home state of Ohio.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
The parent company of Greeneville's US Nitrogen has four other facilities in Tennessee, twice the amount reported recently.
In addition to operations in Lafollette and Davidson County, Ohio based Austin Powder has facilities in Dunlop TN in Sequatchie County and Blountville Sullivan County.
When US Nitrogen announced its plans to locate in Tennessee company officials left the clear impression that products produced in Greene County would have to be shipped to other states like Ohio for producing explosives, the company's primary product.
At least two of the other Austin facilites in Tennessee have the facilities to make explosives with US Nitrogen's primary product, ammonium nitrate.
According to state and county land records Austin Powder owns 54 acres in Sullivan County and over 600 acres in Davidson County.
A request made to Austin Powder for the products produced at each of its Tennessee plants went unanswered.
Additional Austin Powder U.S. locations include Connecticut, Kentucky and Pennsylvania and multiple sites in its home state of Ohio.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Pilot Flying J Fined $50,270 for Sewage Runoff
By Walter F. Roche Jr
A company linked to the family of the former Tennessee governor has been fined $50,270 due to excess runoff at a gas station in Knoxville.
In a notice issued yesterday the state Department of Environment and Conservation cited Pilot-Flying J for effluent violations at a Knoxville gas station and travel center.
The department noted that in addition to violating state law, the facility had been cited multiple times in the U.S. Environmental Agency's quarterly list for non-compliance.
Founded by former Gov. Bill Haslam's father, Pilot Flying J recently sold a major stake in the rest stop chain to Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway.
According to state records the rest stop at 7200 Strawberry Plains Pike violated its permit limits multiple times. Excess e. coli levels were recorded seven times while total suspended solid limits were exceeded 17 times.
The effluent ultimately flows into Hickory Creek.
Under the order Pilot must pay $5,027 upfront. The remainder must be paid if the company does not meet deadlines set under a corrective action plan. That plan must be submitted to TDEC within 30 days.
The company also must submit periodic reports and a final report once the action plan has been completed. Failure to meet deadlines will result in additional fines.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
A company linked to the family of the former Tennessee governor has been fined $50,270 due to excess runoff at a gas station in Knoxville.
In a notice issued yesterday the state Department of Environment and Conservation cited Pilot-Flying J for effluent violations at a Knoxville gas station and travel center.
The department noted that in addition to violating state law, the facility had been cited multiple times in the U.S. Environmental Agency's quarterly list for non-compliance.
Founded by former Gov. Bill Haslam's father, Pilot Flying J recently sold a major stake in the rest stop chain to Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway.
According to state records the rest stop at 7200 Strawberry Plains Pike violated its permit limits multiple times. Excess e. coli levels were recorded seven times while total suspended solid limits were exceeded 17 times.
The effluent ultimately flows into Hickory Creek.
Under the order Pilot must pay $5,027 upfront. The remainder must be paid if the company does not meet deadlines set under a corrective action plan. That plan must be submitted to TDEC within 30 days.
The company also must submit periodic reports and a final report once the action plan has been completed. Failure to meet deadlines will result in additional fines.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Monday, January 10, 2022
TDEC Waives Fines at USN Site
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have decided not to impose any fines against Linde Inc. despite the fact that the company exceeded emission limits at its Midway facility 129 times in a nine month period.
Linde Inc., which produces liquifide carbon dioxide, was cited in September for the violations which occured on cooling towers the company uses in its manufacturing operations.
In a letter sent today to Linde, Kevin McLain of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said TDEC's technical secretary had decided not to impose any fines because of new information provided to the agency.
"Please be advised that the technical secretary may be less lenient of any future violations," the letter states.
The violations occurred from Jan. 30 2020 and Oct. 30, 2020, according to the TDEC letter.
Subsequent to the violations,TDEC loosened the emission limits and no further violations were recorded. The daily average limit of 803.5 microsiemens was increased effective Oct. 14, 2021 to 7,100 microsiemens.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Tennessee environmental officials have decided not to impose any fines against Linde Inc. despite the fact that the company exceeded emission limits at its Midway facility 129 times in a nine month period.
Linde Inc., which produces liquifide carbon dioxide, was cited in September for the violations which occured on cooling towers the company uses in its manufacturing operations.
In a letter sent today to Linde, Kevin McLain of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said TDEC's technical secretary had decided not to impose any fines because of new information provided to the agency.
"Please be advised that the technical secretary may be less lenient of any future violations," the letter states.
The violations occurred from Jan. 30 2020 and Oct. 30, 2020, according to the TDEC letter.
Subsequent to the violations,TDEC loosened the emission limits and no further violations were recorded. The daily average limit of 803.5 microsiemens was increased effective Oct. 14, 2021 to 7,100 microsiemens.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Friday, January 7, 2022
US Nitrogen River Use Drops Again
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
For the second month in a row a Greene County chemical has reduced the amount of free river water it uses in the production of ammonium nitrate and related products.
In a report filed with the state today, US Nitrogen LLC reported it used 16.7 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month of December.That compares with 17.18 million gallons pumped from the river in November.
In the monthly report the chemical firm once again acknowledged that its monitoring system malfunctioned and the amounts reported for a 10 day period, Oct. 9 to Oct. 19, were estimated based on system capacity.
The report states that 700,000 or more gallons were pumped from the Nolichucky on seven days during the month, with the highest amount, 720,000 gallons, on Dec. 29.
The report shows 428,000 gallons were pumped back into the Nolichucky during the month. That compares with 5.2 million discharged in November.
On 15 days there was minimal discharge.
US Nitrogen won state approval to draw water from the Nolichucky from a pipeline stretching from the 22.8 mile marker on the Nolichucky to the US Nitrogen plant in Midway.
The monthly reports are required under the terms of the company's state permit.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
For the second month in a row a Greene County chemical has reduced the amount of free river water it uses in the production of ammonium nitrate and related products.
In a report filed with the state today, US Nitrogen LLC reported it used 16.7 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month of December.That compares with 17.18 million gallons pumped from the river in November.
In the monthly report the chemical firm once again acknowledged that its monitoring system malfunctioned and the amounts reported for a 10 day period, Oct. 9 to Oct. 19, were estimated based on system capacity.
The report states that 700,000 or more gallons were pumped from the Nolichucky on seven days during the month, with the highest amount, 720,000 gallons, on Dec. 29.
The report shows 428,000 gallons were pumped back into the Nolichucky during the month. That compares with 5.2 million discharged in November.
On 15 days there was minimal discharge.
US Nitrogen won state approval to draw water from the Nolichucky from a pipeline stretching from the 22.8 mile marker on the Nolichucky to the US Nitrogen plant in Midway.
The monthly reports are required under the terms of the company's state permit.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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