Saturday, December 19, 2020

TDEC Concerned Over Possible Excess Emissions

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Citing a discrepancy in data submitted by a major chemical company, Tennessee environmental regulators say they are concerned that the company may have exceeded set permit limits on nitrous oxide emissions.
In a two-page letter sent yesterday to Dylan Charles of US Nitrogen LLC, an official of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is asking the Greene County firm to recalculate the amount of nitrous oxide emitted from the Midway plant going back to the third quarter of 2017.
Bryan Parker, the TDEC official, wrote that US Nitrogen should make the new calculations based on the corrected data US Nitrogen submitted on Aug. 24 of this year.
Citing those revised figures, Parker wrote, "In reviewing this situation, the division has concerns over the potential for excess emissions to have occurred but not being reported due to the calculation discrepancy."
Parker wrote that the new calculations "will serve to veriy that no excess emissions occurred during the time period when the emissions were not being properly reported."
He added that if US Nitrogen is able to ascertain when the discrepancy first occurred then nitrous oxide emissions will only have to be recalculated from that point forward.
Parker, however, added that the corrected data must be accompanied by a letter explaining "why this issue occurred."
Parker said the revised data and the explanation should be submitted along with the company's next semi-annual report on nitrous oxide emissions.
Parker's letter was sent in response to US Nitrogen's latest semi-annual report on nitrous oxide emissions from the nitric acid plant and a steam generating boiler. The report covered the first six months of 2020.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

US Nitrogen Pumps 18 million River Gallons

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm pumped more than 18 million gallons from the Nolichucky River during November, according to a report filed with Tennessee environmental regulators.
The monthly report from US Nitrogen LLC shows the company pumped more than a million gallons from the river on three separate days including 1.3 million on Nov. 18.
The company uses the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate.
The company also reported it dumped nearly 8 million gallons of excess water back into the Nolichucky.
In a related development the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation issue an amended permit to Yara North America, which occupies the same Midway site as US Nitrogen.
Under the permit Yara agrees to cap its production in any 12 month period to 72,000 tons. The permit also caps nitrous oxide emissions at 19.6 tons in any 12 month period or 4.5 pounds per hour.
The permit expires on Dec. 3, 2022.

Friday, December 11, 2020

US Nitrogen Assessed Emissions Fee

Tennessee environmental officials have billed a Greene County firm a $3,647 annual fee due to the volume of emissions from its Midway manfacturing facility.
The assessment, known technicaly as a Non Title V Emission Fee, is required from emission sources that have allowable emissions of less than 100 tons per year. The fee is set at $18.75 per ton of allowable emissions.
US Nitrogen became subject to the tax when it changed its license status in December of 2019 to conditional major operating permit.
The notice of the assessment was sent this week to Kim Ryans, a US Nitrogen environmental manager.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Saturday, November 28, 2020

Monday Deadline for US Nitrogen Permit

Interested parties have only till Monday to submit comments on the proposed renewal of a permit that alllows a Greene County chemical firm to dump millions of gallons of effluent into the Nolichucky River.
The permit proposal already was the subject of a Nov. 19 public hearing held virtually. Several local residents including Park Overall testified in opposition to the renewal of the permit held by US Nitrogen LLC.
Overall already has submitted extensive comments.
A tape of the hearing is available on the dataviewer at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Comments can be submitted to Maybelle.Sparks@tn.gov.

Thursday, November 19, 2020

Local Residents Oppose US Nitrogen Permit

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Local residents and a representative of the Sierra Club called out state environmental officials for failing to protect the Nolichucky River and other state waterways in a 30 minute hearing tonight on a permit renewal held virtually.
The hearing convened by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation was held to get comments on the proposed renewal of a permit authorizing US Nitrogen LLC to dump millions of gallons of effluent into the Nolichucky.
"What has happended to the Nolichucky is criminal," said Park Overall, a local environmental activist who also submitted extensive written comments opposing the permit renewal.
Overall said she has been repeatedly shuffled from one government agency to another in her attempts to find out who is rsponsible for ensuring endangered species aren't harmed by US Nitrogen's use of the river.
The company already has won a renewal for a separate permit that allows the chemical firm to draw up to 2 million gallons of water per day from the Nolichucky for use in the production of ammonium nitrate and related products.
Stanley Olmstead, another local resident, said the state agency should be trying to improve water quality instead of finding ways to allow companies to pollute it.
There's just not enough being done, Olmstead said, adding that it would be foolish for anyone to swim in the Nolichucky or eat fish caught from it.
Two other residents who live along the river said TDEC has fallen short of its duty to protect the river.
One said that it has been nothing but a nightmare since US Nitrogen went into operation. Scott Banbury of the Sierra Club said that TDEC should be looking at the overall environmental impact of industrial operations rather than look at just one permit at a time.
By looking at one permit at a time officials were "ignoring the big problem. It's really disingenuous."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

TDEC Orders Corrective Action Plan

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have ordered a Greeene County firm to develop a corrective action plan to ensure that it complies with the testing requirements under its state permits.
In a two-page letter sent this week to US Nitrogen, an official of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation also told company officials they will have to hold off on a scheduled bio-assessment test until next year. The test had been scheduled for this week.
Dane Cutshaw, a TDEC environmental manager, wrote that under its state permit the bio-assesment of the Nolichucky River must be performed at a time of low flow and high temperature, conditions not likely to be achieved until 2021.
In the letter to Plant Manager Dylan Charles, Cutshaw noted that a US Nitrogen official had promised that the bio-assessment would be performed before Oct. 31, 2020.
The test is required to assess the impact on the river and endangered species from US Nitrogen's use of the river.
The company pumps milllions of gallons from the Nolichucky for use in the production of ammonium nitrate and related products. The chemical firm also discharges wastewater back into the river.
Cutshaw wrote that in addition to the test in 2021, US Nitrogen must conduct a second bio-assessment by 2025.
He told the Charles that the corrective action plan, due by Dec. 18, must detail how the company will ensure that in the future the company complies with all of its permit requirement. The plan must be submitted by Dec. 18.
Please be aware that failure to comply with your NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) permit nmay subject you to enforcement action" Cutshaw wrote.
Contact:wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

US Nitrogen Granted Stormwater Coverage

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC has been granted coverage from state regulators for Tennessee's Storm Water Multi-Sector Permit program.
Notice of the approval was sent today to Dylan Charles, US Nitrogen's plant manager by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
"We are hereby notifying you that your facility is covered under this general notice," the notification reads.
According to TDEC new requirements will be added on to US Nitrogen's existing stormwater runoff permit.
The new permit is effective until June 30. 2022 and is retroactive to July 1, 2020. TDEC noted that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently filed notice of changes in its stormwater pollution prevention program under the federal Clean Water Act. TDEC described the new standards as "fundamentally different" from the old ones.
US Nitrogen is subject to those EPA rules applying to stormwater runoff from industrial activities.
Previous annual reports from US Nitrogen on stormwater runoff have shown excess nitrates.
In its most recent report the company reported that while the benchmark level of nitrates is .68 milligrams per liter, the level in the company tests of stormwater runoff was 1.18 milligrams per liter.
US Nitrogen said it was investigating the cause or source of the nitrates and suspected it was a trench installed in 2019 to collect stormwater from the rail loading area.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

US Nitrogen Permit Hearing Thursday

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials will hear testimony Thursday on the renewal of a controversial permit which allows a major chemical company to discharge wastewater into the Nolichucky River.
Seeking the permit renewal is US Nitrogen LLC, a Greene County manufacturer of ammonium nitrate and related products that are utilized by Austin Powder, an explosives supplier, that also owns US Nitrogen.
The hearing, which will be held virtually, is expected to draw testimony from some longtime opponents of the US Nitrogen permit including local activist Park Overall.
The formal hearing begins at 7 p.m. and it will be preceded by a one hour question and answer session.
The current permit expired Oct. 31.
US Nitrogen already has won approval for a companion permit which allows the company to pump millions of gallons of water from the Nolichucky for use at its Midway production facility.
The hearing can be accessed at: https://tngov.webex.com/tngov/j.php?MTID=m5c4ac6ff30915eccfa45afe7b7f3eb33. The hearing can be accessed at: https://tngov.webex.com/tngov/j.php?MTID=m5c4ac6ff30915eccfa45afe7b7f3eb33. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Friday, November 13, 2020

US Nitrogen Reports Equipment Malfunction

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC has reported to Tennessee regulators that an equipment malfunction forced them to estimate the amount of water drawn from the Nolichucky on several days in October.
According to the monthly report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation the water pumped was estimated on nine days during the month. The estimate, the company reported, was based on the pump's design capacity.
In the report the ammonium nitrate manufacturer reported it pumped a total of 12 million gallons from the river for use in its manufacturing process. On four separate days, including Oct. 16, the company pumped a little over one million gallons from the waterway.
On six days, including Oct. 20, no water was pumped from the Nolichucky. According to the report 8.1 million gallons was discharged back in to the river through a pipeline.
The company has disclosed that it will be conducting leak testing on the 12 miles of pipeline from milemarker 20.8 on the Nolichucky to the company plant in Midway.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Thursday, November 12, 2020

US Nitrogen to Perform Tardy Test

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

After some prodding by a local environmental activist, US Nitrogen LLC has belatedly scheduled an endangered species bioassessment to determine the impact of the company's use of the Nolichucky River.
In an email posted today by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Kim Ryans of US Nitrogen told state officials the tests would be performed on Nov. 16 and Nov. 18.
The notification came only after Park Overall complained repeatedly to TDEC and other officials that the chemical firm was required to do a bioassessment by Oct. 31. Conducting the test was a requirement under one of US Nitrogen's TDEC's permits.
The delay in performing the tests, however, means that the test results are unlikely to be available by the date of a scheduled permit hearing. That session is scheduled for Nov. 19.
In her emails to TDEC officials Overall said she needed the test results so she could use them in testimony at the public hearing.
In her emails Overall stated that there were nine endangered species that had been detected in earlier testing of the river water. One such assessment was performed by Dinkins Environmental Consulting in December of 2013.
US Nitrogen's permit allows the company to pump millions of gallons of water from the river for use in the production of ammonium nitrate and related products. The company also has a permit to discharge excess water from its operations back in to the Nolichucky.
The discharge and the pump taking water from the river are at milemarker 20.8 about 12 miles from US Nitrogen's Midway manufacturing facility.
Overall has also complained to state and federal officials about dead animals being found on Pond Creek.
Contact:wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, November 9, 2020

State OK's US Nitrogen Test Results

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Even though they showed some excess levels of nitrous oxides, Tennessee officials say recent emission test results at an ammonium nitrate manufacturing facilty in Greene County are acceptable.
The tests were conducted on the last two days of July at the US Nitrogen plant in Midway and were designed to show at what fuel consumption rates the company's two ammonia plants could run without exceeding the emission limits in the company's state permits.
The tests, which were conducted by AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions, were the second to take place within a less than six month period. The previous tests conducted in the Spring were deemed inconclusive.
A summary of the tests was provided in an Oct. 29 letter from Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to Dylan Charles, US Nitrogen's plant manager.
"The division considers the report to be technically correct with regard to the test procedures employed," the letter states.
"Reported data supports the US Nitrogen request to not inject ammonia to both plants before reaching 17,000 standard cubic feet per hour fuel rate," Parker continued.
"Even though the data showed emission rates in excess of the .41 pounds per ton of the nitrous oxide limit in the permit, the limitation is based on a daily average and not on instantaneous results," Parker wrote.
He added that the data showed the two ammomnia trains could be kept in compliance without injecting any ammonia until the desired fuel consumption rate (17,000 Standard Cubic Feet per Hour) is achieved.
Citing a table, Parker concluded that the data showed "neither train can consistently operate under this condition while increasing to a production rate above 17,000 scfh."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Sunday, November 1, 2020

US Nitrogen Leak Test Moving Forward

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee transportation officials say they will be inspecting a Greene County right-of-way to determine there is no damage from tests planned by U.S. Nitrogen that will involve the release of thousands of gallons of water.
Mark Nagi of the Tennessee Department of Transportation said in an email response to questions that his agency has no authority over the planned release of water.
However TDOT will inspect the subject proposed utility maintenance work to ensure that the safety and integrity of the roadway is protected, Nagi said.
US Nitrogen recently informed the state Department of Environment and Conservation that it plans to discharge as much as 22,000 gallons of hydrostatic water to test for leaks in the 12 mile pipeline that runs from the company's Midway manufacturing plant to the Nolichucky River.
Nagi did say his agency was recently notified about the plans to conduct the tests. TDEC officials have concluded that US Nitrogen does have the authority to conduct the tests under its existing permits.
Park Overall, a local environmental activist, has raised questions about the tests including why they will be conducted over a lengthy time period, ending on April 30, 2012.
Overall said she has learned that companies conducting similar leak tests completed them in a single day.
"And, no one is testing the water except US Nitrogen," Overall said, adding that considering its past performance "why should people trust them."
According to the information filed with TDEC the discharge will be made from a point in the pipeline along the right-of-way of McDonald Road 1,000 feet southeast of Lick Creek, about 1,800 feet from the Beulah Baptist Church.
TDEC has advised US Nitrogen it must submit a report with TDEC on the discharge and it must be submitted no later than 30 days after the discharge has occurred.

Monday, October 26, 2020

Yara Sets Midway Construction Schedule

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The third company set to occupy a multi-acre property in Greene County is seeking extensions on permits to build and operate a major manufacuring facility from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Henri Groenen, vice president, of Yara North America, Inc. submitted requests for construction and operating permits from TDEC.
Yara plans to produce tons of calcium niterate on the same site as US Nitrogen LLC and Praxair,Inc.
In a letter to TDEC's Michelle Owenby, Groenen said the company has completed 98 per cent of the design/engineering phase and expects to begin actual construction next March. Construction is expected to be completed in 12 to 14 months.
Yara's current construction permits expire Nov. 3.
Groenen also said that Yara is currently soliciting bids for various phases of the project.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail,com

Saturday, October 24, 2020

Hearing Set on Conigliaro Appeal

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A three judge federal panel will hear arguments Tuesday on an appeal filed by federal prosecutors seeking to overturn a judge's dismissal order on a charge against a former drug company executive.
Federal prosecutors in Boston are arguing that the guilty charge on a conspiracy count against Gregory Conigliaro should be restored. A jury had returned a unanimous guilty verdict but U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns reversed the conviction on June 7 of last year.
The First Circuit Court of Appeals also will hear arguments from the attorney for Sharon Carter, who like Conigliaro worked at the New England Compounding Center, the company blamed for the deadly 2012 fungal meningitis outbreak. She held the title of director of operations.
Conigliaro was a vice president and part owner of NECC while Carter was employed as a pharmacist technician.
Due to the pandemic the court session set to begin at 9:30 a.m. will be held virtually since the courthouse is not open to the public.
Hearing the appeal will be Judges Sandra Lynch, Kermit Lipez and David J. Barron.
Conigliaro's lawyer, Daniel Rabinowitz, has argued that Conigliaro couldn't have conspired to defraud the U.S. Food and Drug Administration because agency officials were not even sure they had jurisdiction over NECC.
Carter's lawyer, Michael Pineault has made a similar argument.
Federal prosecutors have argued that the jury verdict should be upheld and that Conigliaro and Carter were motivated by greed.br /> Of the 14 NECC defendants indicted in late 2014, three are currently serving federal prison terms. One was acquitted of all charges.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Thursday, October 22, 2020

St. Luke's Cited in Monitoring Failure

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A patient at an Allentown hospital was found unresponsive in an apparent failure of a continuous monitor, according to a report from the state Health Department.
According to the report staffers at St. Luke's Sacred Heart Campus failed to inform the patient's physician that the patient was removing the continuous pulse oximetry monitor. Subsequently the patient was found on April 11 unresponsive "with no pulse or respiration."
The hospital employee "did not document a change in the patient's condition that affected the ordered the continuous pulse oximetry," the report states, adding that the patient's doctor was "not notified of a change in the patient's non-compliance and treatment."
The staff "lacked the ability to troubleshoot the continuous pulse oximetry issues such as maintaining the probe when the patient in disoriented and attempting to remove the device."
The hospital filed a plan of correction calling for staff education on reporting requirements.
The staff "lacked the ability to troubleshoot the continuous pulse oximetry issues such as maintaining the probe when the patient in disoriented and attempting to remove the device," the plan of correction states.
The report concluded that nursing staff never informed the physician that the patient was frequently removing the pulse oximetry probe.
St. Luke's officials did not respond to questions regarding the report.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

US Nitrogen Passes TDEC Compliance Inspection

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen was found in compliance with its state permits during a recent annual inspection but the company conceded that there had been errors in their calculations on nitrous oxide emissions.
The August inspection by officials of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation included a detailed review of company records and an actual inspection of some of the company's Greene County manufacturing facilities.
According to the inspection report a US Nitrogen official, Kim Ryans, acknowledged the company had made errors in computing the three hour rolling nitrous oxide emissions.
"Ms. Ryans agreed with the inspector that there had been an error in how they had adjustd this data to account for start-ups," the report states.
The company submitted corrected data on Aug. 27, according to the report.
TDEC reported that "due to the pandemic records were reviewed on Aug. 6 via Microsoft Teams.
Going through the various conditions in the company permits, the inspectors reported that they found no violations and that the company had properly compiled and retained various reports.
The report state that seven complaints against US Nitrogen were logged during the past year and all of them involved "visible emissions" or opacity. The report states that none of those complaints resulted in a finding that the company violated its permits.
In addition the inspectors reported that they observed no visible emissions other than water vapor.
"Records are maintained as required," the report states.
"The company appeared to be adhering to this condition during the plant walk-through and records were available back to the source's stafrt up," the report states referring to another permit requirement.
However, the report does state that some of the data collected during the inspection is still being evaluated by TDEC.
In a related development TDEC approved amendments to the permit granted to Praxair, Inc., a company that shares the same Midway location. The company produces liquid carbon dioxide for the beverage industry.
The amendments correct typographical errors in the permit issued in January. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, October 12, 2020

Nov. 19 Hearing on US Nitrogen Permit

Tennessee environmental officials have set a Nov. 19 date for an on-line hearing on the proposed renewal of a permit which allows a Greene County firm, US Nitrogen, to pump millions of gallons of wastewater into the Nolichucky River.
In a notice issued last week the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation announced that the 7 p.m. hearing will be preceeded by a one hour question and answer session.
The current permit expires on Oct. 31.
The ammonium nitrate manufacturer already has received approval for the renewal of another permit under which it draws millions of gallons of water from the river.
The hearing can be accessed at: https://tngov.webex.com/tngov/j.php?MTID=m5c4ac6ff30915eccfa45afe7b7f3eb33. The hearing can be accessed at: https://tngov.webex.com/tngov/j.php?MTID=m5c4ac6ff30915eccfa45afe7b7f3eb33.

Wednesday, October 7, 2020

TN to Renew US Nitrogen River Permit

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials plan to renew a permit that allows a Greene County chemical firm to discharge millions of gallons of wastewater into the Nolichucky River.
In a notice issued today the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation provided a draft copy of the massive permit it intends to issue to US Nitrogen LLC.
The 52-page document includes the 23 page permit and several appendices. The permit won't expire until 2025. The current permit expires on Oct. 31.
"The department has determinewd that the activity will not cause degradation above a de minimus level," the permit states.
According to a cover letter sent to US Nitrogen Plant Manager Dylan Charles, members of the public will have 30 days to ask for a public hearing. The company will also have 30 days to object to any of the limits set out in the permit.
The permit is one of two key state permits that enable the company to utilize more than a million gallons per day from the Nolichucky in the production of ammonium nitrate and related chemicals. The permit to draw water from the Nolichucky was renwed last year.
The permit requires US Nitrogen to monitor the composition of the waste water being pumped into the river. Monthly reports must be filed with the state and the company is required to notify TDEC if monitoring shows any limits have been exceeded.
The company is required to take samples both upstream and downstream of the pumping station located at mile marker 20.8 on the Nolichucky.
The permit notes that the facility is designed to produce 200 tons of ammonia per dat, 600 tons of nitric acid per day and 840 tons of ammonium nitrate solution daily.
In a related development the company filed its monthly report showing the amount of water pumped from and back in to the Nolichucky during the month of September.
According to the report the company pumped 21.68 million gallons of water from the river with more than a million gallons drawn on 12 separate days. During the same time 8.5 million gallons of wastewater was dumped back into the river. On three days more than 500,000 gallons were discharged into the river.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

State Okays US Nitrogen Discharge

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have given the go-ahead for US Nitrogen LLC to discharge up to 22,000 gallons of a test liquid along a Greene County roadway to determine if there are any leaks in a 12-mile long pipeline.
In a letter sent to Kim Ryans, a US Nitrogen environmental manager, an official of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said discharge of hydrostatic water would be covered under the company's permit.
The Greene County chemical manufacturer had filed notice Oct. 1 that it intended to conduct tests on the 12-mile pipeline from the Nolichucky River to the company plant in Midway. The discharge will be made from a point in the pipeline along the right-of-way of McDonald Road 1,000 feet southeast of Lick Creek, about 1,800 feet from the Beulah Baptist Church.
Vojin Janjic, the TDEC water division manager, noted in the letter to Ryans, that it is up to US Nitrogen to get permission from the Tennessee Department of Transportation for the discharge.
Ryans also noted that ammonium nitrate manufacturer also must submit a report with TDEC on the discharge and it must be submitted no later than 30 days after the discharge has occurred.
US Nitrogen was also asked to indicate whether the test would be a one-time event.
Kim Schofinski, a TDEC spokeswoman said her agency was "not aware of any spills or illicit discharges from the US Nitrogen facility.
"While TDEC does not explicitly require testing for leaks in infrastructure related to permitted facilities, we do require that permittees must properly operate and maintain their infrastructure, which may necessitate scheduled testing for leaks or water loss," she concluded.
Ryans, the US Nitrogen environmental manager, has not responded to requests for comment on the reasons for conducting the tests.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, October 5, 2020

Violations Cited on Prime Cumberland Parcel

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A company involved in now abandoned high stakes negotiations with Nashville over the future of a prime riverside parcel has been cited by state environmental officials for multiple violations of state and federal regulations uncovered on that very same parcel.
In a notice issued last week, the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation imposed a $75,130 civil penalty on PSC Metals for being out of compliance with several provisions of its state permit.
According to the notice the scrap metal firm located along the Cumberland River failed to update and implement provisions of its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan including conducting quarterly and annual inspections of the property.
Former Mayor David Briley's administration was engaged in negotiations with PSC to free up the prime parcel on the East Bank of the Cumberland in return for a relocation plan that could have cost the city $25 million.
The negotiations ended when John Cooper took office.
PSC, in response to the complaint blamed the failures on the Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant lack of staff.
The records show TDEC extended the deadline for coming up with a correction plan from March 31 to May 29, but the company again failed to respond.
The Jan. 28, 2020 TDEC inspection found clogged drains, booms full of oil and grease, another drain clogged with trash and debris and large fuel tanks dripping diesel fuel. Review of company records showed required routine inspections were not performed.
Under the complaint PSC must pay $15,026 in penalties within 31 days along with $640.60 in damages.
The company has 60 days to file a corrective action plan.

Saturday, October 3, 2020

Nolichucky River Water Usage on the Rise

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The use of free water from the Nolichucky River has been on the rise even as the company utilizing that water is planning to conduct tests that are normally used to detect leaks in pipes and other enclosures.
A review of monthly reports filed by US Nitrogen LLC shows that over the last six months the company has reported pumping 106.7 million gallons from the Nolichucky River through a 12-mile pipeline running from river mile marker 20.8 to the firm's Midway plant.
In the prior six months only 85.14 million gallons were pumped from the river. The usage jumped by more than 27 per cent in the latest six month period.
US Nitrogen, meanwhile, filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, of its intent to conduct tests that could result in 22,000 gallons of hydrostatic water being discharged from an opening in a section of that 12-mile pipe.
Hydrostatic water is normally used to detect leaks or weaknesses in pipelines.
US Nitrogen officials did not respond to a series of questions about the testing including the reason for conducting the tests.
According to the notice filed by US Nitrogen with TDEC the test water will be discharged from the pipeline 1,000 feet southeast of Lick Creek in the right of way along McDonald Road, about 1,800 feet from the Beulah Baptist Church.
The notice filed by the ammonium nitrate manufacturer states that "water flow will be maintained at a rate to minimize erosion. Hay bales and silt fence will be used to minimize TSS (Total Suspended Solids)."
The filing does not state exactly when the tests will be conducted but it does state that they will be completed by April 30 of next year.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com.

Thursday, October 1, 2020

USN To Discharge 22,000 Gallons of Test Water

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm has notified Tennessee environmental officials that it is planning to discharge some 22,000 gallons of test water from a 12-mile pipeline running from the Nolichucky River to Midway.
In papers filed this week with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation US Nitrogen LLC said the hydrostatic test water would be discharged 1,000 feet southeast of Lick Creek in the right of way along McDonald Road. The site is about 1,800 feet from the Beulah Baptist Church.
The filing by US Nitrogen plant manager Dylan Charles does not indicate the reason for the test, but the test water is generally used to test for leaks. It can also be used to determine the strength of a closed vessel such as a pipeline.
The 12-mile pipeline is used by the ammonium nitrate manufacturer to draw millions of gallons of free water from the Nolichucky River for use in the manufacturing process.
The "Notice of Intent" does not make clear when the tests will be performed. In response to a question about the timing of the discharge, US Nitrogen wrote Sept. 24, 2020 to April 30, 2021.
The application states that "water flow will be maintained at a rate to minimize erosion."
"Hay bales and silt fence will be used to minimize TSS (Total Suspended Solids)," the application continues.
An attachment to the permit notice mispells the town of Moshheim as Moshiem.
The filing also indicates that the water treatment plant utilized by US Nitrogen is owned by the Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene County and the filing is being made in behalf of the IDB.
The company use of the pipeline has been controversial and resulted in multiple law suits. The company settled one of those suits with landowners who charged the pipeline infringed on their properties.
In addition to the 12-mile pipeline drawing water from the river, a separate 12-mile pipeline is used to send unused water back into the river.
A permit for that second pipeline is up for renewal at the end of this month.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 23, 2020

US Nitrogen Tests Show Compliance

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that US Nitrogen's steam generating boiler is operating in compliance with carbon monoxide emissions limits set in the company's operating permit.
In a letter sent this week to US Nitrogen's plant manager Dylan Charles, Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said the test results recently submitted show compliance with the permit limits.
In the letter Parker also said the agency review showed that the procedures used in performing the tests met agency requirements.
The test for carbon monoxide emissions was performed at the same time as tests for other emissions, such as nitrous oxides. The Midway chemical firm hired an outside testing firm to perform the tests.
Parker noted that at the time of the test the steam boiler, which operates on natural gas, was operating at only 55.5 per cent of its maximum operating capacity.
"The division considers the operation of the boiler to be acceptable," Parker wrote in the two-page letter, adding that the division agrees that US Nitrogen "has demonstrated compliance with the carbon monoxide emisssions limits."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Friday, September 11, 2020

US Nitrogen Boosts River Water Use

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Use of free water from the Nolichucky River by a Greene County chemical company jumped to more than 24 million gallons in the month of April, according to a report filed with Tennessee environmental officials.
The monthly report from US Nitrogen LLC shows the company pumped more than 1.2 million gallons from the Nolichucky River on nine days during the month, including three straight days beginning on Aug. 19.
The total was one of the highest in recent months. Other high totals include 21.7 million gallons pumped from the river in October of 2019 and 23 million gallons in July of 2019. The highest monthly total, 38.7 million gallons, came in December of 2017.
On three days in August beginning on Aug.7 the coompany pumped no water from the river.
The monthly report shows the ammonium nitrate manufacturer discharged 13 million gallons of wastewater back in to the river, with more than 500,000 discharged on Aug. 18 and Aug. 31.
US Nitrogen gained permits to pump water to and from the river from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The current discharge permit expires Oct. 31 and the company recently filed a renewal application.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, September 2, 2020

TDEC Accepts US Nitrogen Test Results

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Recent environmental tests at a Greene County chemical firm were conducted with the facility running at only 74 per cent of its designed capacity, according to state officials.
In a two-page letter sent Monday to US Nitrogen, a compliance manager at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said that the agency, nonetheless, concluded that the June 15 tests demonstrated compliance with the emission limits set forth in the company's operating permit.
The tests measured emissions of nitrous oxide and ammonia on the two ammonia production trains at the Midway ammonium nitrate manufacturing plant.
"The division recognizes that this production rate (74 per cent) was the highest achievable during the test period and acceptable for testing purposes," the letter from Bryan Parker states.
While the permit allows nitric acid production of 600 tons per day, the tests were conducted at the rate of 442 tons per day.
According to the letter the testing showed ammonia emissions of 1.19 pounds per hour while the permit limit is 3 pounds per hour or 5.19 tons per year.
The tests were performed June 15 by AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions. Prior AMP Cherokee tests of US Nitrogen emissions conducted in April were deemed inconclusive.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

TDEC Acknowledges USN Test Results

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have acknowledged the receipt of recent test results from US Nitrogen, which were required under the company's permit.
In a three-page letter to Dylan Charles, US Nitrogen's plant manager, Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said the results from the tests conducted on July 30-31, fulfill the permit requirements.
The tests were conducted on the emissions from two ammonia production lines at US Nitrogen's Midway manufacturing facility. Each train was tested at three different production rates to determine what levels would ensure compliance with emission limits.
The test results recounted in Parker's letter indicate nitrous oxide limits were exceeded on one of the ammonia trains when it was set to produce 35 tons of ammonia per day.
The other tests were at 65 tons per day and 100 tons per day. The tests were conducted by AMP-Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
The July tests were ordered when the results from April tests were found to be inconclusive.
"The division accepts this testing for the establishment of emission factors for both production trains," Parker wrote. "The division agrees US Nitrogen has fulfilled the testing requirement," he concluded.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, August 24, 2020

Praxair in $90 Billion Merger

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A partner firm in a Greene County manufacturing complex is merging with another industrial gas firm in a deal valued at $90 billion.
Officials of Praxair Inc. informed the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation that its name will change to Linde Plc on Sept. 1.
Praxair which will be producing liquefied carbon dioxide at a Midway complex now occupied by US Nitrogen, also is seeking TDEC approval for a change in its operating permit that would eliminate one of its provisions.
In a letter to TDEC, Scott Poole, a Praxair environmental manager, asked that TDEC eliminate a provision setting a maximum level of conductivity. Conductivity is a measure of the ability to conduct electricity.
"Praxair's operation operates well below this range of conductivity," Poole wrote in the July 17 letter.
"Praxair can continue to supply daily average values for its operational conductivity to maintain compliance," the letter states.
According to published reports the merger of Linde and Praxair will produce the largest global producer of industrial gases.
A third company, Yara, also will occupy the Midway site.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Saturday, August 15, 2020

US Nitrogen Submits Some Emission Test Results

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm has submitted some of the reults of recent performance tests completed at the Midway facility, but other test results are still being reviewed.
US Nitrogen submitted aa 97-page report to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation on tests performed at the end of last month on two ammonia production units at the Midway ammonium nitrate manufacturing plant.
The tests were ordered to determine if the company was in compliance with the limits on nitrogen oxides and ammonia emissions in its state permit.
The data submitted indicates that the nitrogen oxide limits may have been exceeded when the lowest level of fuel consumption was used.
Under the test plans the emissions were measured using three different levels of fuel consumption.
The tests, which were witnessed by a TDEC official, were conducted by AMP Environmental Solutions of Napier, N.C. on July 30 and 31.
In a letter to Michelle Owenby, TDEC's technical secretary, Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen wrote that the additional tests were conducted because tests conducted in April proved to be inconclusive.
Wallace wrote that in addition to the emissions tests engineering tests were performed "for the purpose of developing engineering factors upon which to base continuing compliance with the nitrogen oxides and ammonia limits in the operating permit."
Wallace added that the results of those tests were still under review and a report would be submitted to the state within a few days.
In a related matter US Nitrogen submitted a monthly report to the state on the amount of water it pumped from the Nolichucky River for use in its operations.
According to the report on July operations the company pumped 13 million gallons from the river while discharging nearly 7.5 million gallons back into the river.
On seven days during the month no water was pumped from the Nolichucky. On four days including July 30 over a million gallons was pumped from the river.
On eight days, including July 4 and 5, only a minimal amount was pumped back into the river.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

TDEC Dismisses US Nitrogen Complaints

By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have effectively dismissed complaints from two area residents about flames and odors from the Midway chemical plant where ammonium nitrate is produced.
In separate but similar emails Amanda Davis, a manager with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said an investigation of complaints filed by Sherry Cooper and Park Overall showed no permit violations by US Nitrogen LLC.
The two had complained that they witnessed bright flames emanating from the manufacturing complex in the evening of July 23 and the early morning of July 24.
Stating that inspectors observed the plant and also examined records and viewed videos of the time in question, TDEC concluded that there were no permit violations.
According to the emails the TDEC employees were told that the flames observed by Cooper and Overall came from a flare being used "to conduct a catalyst reduction"
"The inspector did observe various steam/water vapor plumes and in particular the cooling tower," the email states.
"There were no malfunctions or process upsets," the email states.
"Based on record reviews and observations, there is no finding of non-compliance with the permit," the email concludes.
As for other complaints from Cooper about odors from US Nitrogen, the TDEC official said those issues should be brought to the attention of the Greene County Health Department.
In a separate action another TDEC official notified Overall that TDEC will no longer respond to complaints from her unless they are based on her own personal observations. So-called third party information, the notice states, will no longer be investigated, S. Mark Braswe of TDEC's Johnson City office stated in the letter to Overall. "We have responded to a voluminous number of third party complaints you have made over a long period of time without substantiating evidence," Braswell wrote.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

TDEC Investigating USN Complaints


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials say they are investigating complaints of fire on July 23 at the US Nitrogen LLC facility in Greene County.
Sherry Cooper, a resident who lives near the chemical company complex in Midway, registered a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation in which she described seeing bright orange flames at the ammonium nitrate facility.
"All at once I seen this big orange flames and gases flowing way above the treeline it looked like the building was on fire," Cooper wrote in an email to TDEC.
Kim Schofinski, a TDEC spokeswoman, acknowledged the complaint and said it was currently under investigation.
Park Overall, a local environmental activist, also reported the incident to TDEC and both Overall and Cooper provided photographs of the incident.
Cooper said in her email that she was alerted to the incident by a friend at 10:49 p.m. on July 23.
She wrote in the email that she had barely gone two tenths of a mile down Little Chuckey Road when she saw the flames.
She said when she called police to complain she was told "they were just burning off in the pipes. They do it every now and then."
Cooper said in her email that she has seen other such incidents but few were as bad as July 23.
Overall also registered a complaint with TDEC describing a heavy odor in the air. "It had odor. It was like a fog," she wrote in an email to TDEC. Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 22, 2020

More US Nitrogen Testing OK'd


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have approved plans for additional testing at a Greene County chemical firm after the results of April testing were judged inconclusive.
The testing at US Nitrogen LLC is now scheduled for July 30 and July 31.
Bryan Parker, environmental manager at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, notified US Nitrogen of the approval.
Parker also wrote a response to an environmental consultant who raised questions about the April testing results and whether US Nitrogen was in violation of its permit.
The two days of testing, according to Parker's letter, will "establish a range of ammonia injection rates at varying gas fuel rates that ensure compliance with nitrous oxide emission limits."
According to Parker the two days of testing will have 24 steps and include three different fuel injection rates.
"The division agrees with the test plan as written," Parker wrote in the letter to Stephen Wallace, a US Nitrogen manager.
Stating that TDEC will have a representative present to witness the testing, Parker added that any changes in the test plans will have to be approved by TDEC.
Parker, in a separate letter to D. Howard Gebhart, disputed the environmental consultant's conclusions about US Nitrogen's compliance with its permit.
Gebhart was retained by local opponents of the ammonium nitrate plant, including Park Overall.
"The bulk of your letter consists of extrapolating the ammonia emissions reported from these brief duration engineering tests. This is not a technically valid approach," Parker wrote, adding that the April tests were not intended to be official performance testing.
Parker charged that Gebhart's conclusion were based on the assumption that the plant would be in full operation all year.
"It is physically impossible for synthetic ammonia plants to operate continuously during a year," Parker concluded.
Parker did not address Gebhart's concerns that the April tests revealed that US Nitrogen was operating for an undetermined length of time with contaminated anti-pollution equipment.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Tuesday, July 21, 2020

Consultant: USN Violated Permit


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

An environmental consultant says that it appears state regulators will take no action against a Greene County chemical firm even though the company's own test results clearly show a violation.
D. Howard Gebhart of Air Resource Specialists said he does not expect that the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will act on a detailed complaint he recently filed in behalf of local opponents of the US Nitrogen LLC operations.
Gebhart said a recent summary by a TDEC official of the April tests of emissions from the Midway company indicates that action by the agency is unlikely.
"TDEC appears to be ignoring the basic Clean Air Act principle of 'any credible evidence,'which allows any credible evidence to be used to establish compliance/noncompliance,"Gebhart said.
A TDEC official has issued a statement in which he stated that the April tests were not conducted to establish compliance and that the compliance was established in 2016.
Gebhart was also critical of the TDEC official's conclusion that the April tests were conducted under conditions that were not representative of the historical operation of the ammonium nitrate manufacturer.
He said that if the tests were not conducted under the usual conditions "then the results would be useless for establishing the appropriate conditions for future source operation, which was the stated purpose of the testing."
Gebhart noted that the TDEC report cites the fact that an anti-pollution device in use at US Nitrogen during the April test was contaminated.
"To me, this also implies that USN has not been properly operating and maintaining the (SCR) emissions control equipment,"Gebhart said.
The company has told TDEC that it plans to do additional testing later this month.

Friday, July 17, 2020

US Nitrogen Tests Inconclusive


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Recent tests performed on a Greene County chemical company's ammonia plants were inconclusive and further testing to ensure compliance with its permit limits on ammonia emissions are being planned.
That was the conclusion of a state environmental official after receiving the test results from US Nitrogen.
The details on the tests which were performed in mid-April at US Nitrogen's Midway facility were spelled out in a three-page letter sent today from Bryan Parker of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen.
According to Parker's letter the test results showed that nitrous oxide limits were met but ammonia slip or ammonia emissions were present.
The tests which were performed by AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions measured emissions from US Nitrogen's two ammonia trains at four different production rates ranging from a zero ammonia production rate to 100 tons per day.
The tests, according to Parker's letter, "indicate ammonia slip did occur especially with Train One."
He noted that the test plans were amended in the course of the testing.
Acknowledging that US Nitrogen did meet the testing requirements in its permits, Parker said the ammonia injection rates were "inconclusive."
"US Nitrogen did not determine an ammonia injection rate per production rate and furthermore an emission rate was not established," the letter states.
Citing the test results, Parker wrote that "the conditions under which the tests were conducted "do not represent historic operation of the source."
"The division does not consider that the results of this testing (should) be utilized as a basis for calculating compliance with the yearly nitrous oxide and ammonia limits set forth" in US Nitrogen's permit.
Parker noted that the company already has submitted a proposed protocol for the additional testing and said TDEC was still reviewing it. The test has tentatively been scheduled for July 21.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, July 13, 2020

US Nitrogen Plans More Tests


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Officials of a Greene County chemical firm are seeking Tennessee's approval for a protocol to test their facility for compliance with air emission standards during the production of ammonia and ammonium nitrate.
The tests at US Nitrogen in Midway are scheduled to take place on July 21, assuming that the state approves the testing plan.
The proposed test plan was submitted today by US Nitrogen Manager Stephen Wallace to Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
According to the proposal the tests are being conducted to "establish a range of ammonia injection rates for the Selective Catalytic Reduction on both ammonia plants to ensure compliance with the nitrous oxide and ammonia emission limits."
The tests, which will be conducted by a separate company, AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions, will also be used to establish compliance with those two emission limits "at three different fuel gas flow rates."
US Nitrogen also submitted to TDEC its monthly report on the amount of water it pumped from the Nolichucky River for use in the production of ammonium nitrate.
According to the report the company pumped 19.4 million gallons from the river through its 12 mile pipeline in June. On three days, June 1, June 28 and 29, no water was withdrawn from the river.
On two days, June 11 and 12, over 1 million gallons were pumped from the river.
The report also details the amount of water the company pumped back into the river. On eight days, including June 12 to June 14, a minimal amount was discharged. The highest discharge, 631,000 gallons, came on June 23.
The company is required to file the monthly reports under the terms of its TDEC permit.
Contact: wfroche999@gmail.com

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Consultant: US Nitrogen Violated Permit


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

An environmental consultant says US Nitrogen violated its state permit by emitting up to three times the allowable level of ammonia from its Greene County manufacturing facility.
In a three-page letter to Michelle Owenby of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation the consultant called on the state to issue a notice of violation to US Nitrogen, order an immediate reduction of production at the Midway plant and impose "appropriate penalties to change USN's behaviour regarding the environment."
D. Howard Gebhart of Air Resource Specialists said that recent tests at US Nitrogen showed excess ammonia emissions were recorded under "each and every condition." He submitted the report in behalf of Park Overall and other local opponents of the company operations
Noting that the state permit caps the amount of ammonia the company can emit into the atmosphere at 3.5 tons over any continuous 12 month period, Gebhart found, based on data from US Nitrogen itself, that US Nitrogen was emitting some 10.6 tons of ammonia per year.
"There is credible evidence that USN has been operating in violation of Permit 47892 by releasing more than 3.5 tons of ammonia emissions into the atmosphere," the letter states.
He noted that "excess ammonia emissions are a concern for various reasons,"including a strong odor, irritation and burns of the skin, eyes and lungs.
Gebhart said data submitted by US Nitrogen to TDEC previously showed the company operated its two ammonia production trains "more or less continuously in 2019." He noted that a recent compliance report from the company omitted a notice of compliance with the ammonia limit.
In addition to calling for TDEC to issue a notice of violation and impose a fine, Gebhart said TDEC should order US Nitrogen to prepare and implement a corrective action plan, require the company to submit more frequent testing data and require that a third party be hired to audit the company's actions.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Friday, June 26, 2020

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.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Thursday, June 25, 2020

TN Accepts US Nitrogen Test Results


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have accepted the results of recent performance tests at a Greene County chemical firm's anhydrous ammonia production plant which showed the firm met the standards set forth in its state permit.
In a two-page letter to US Nitrogen, Bryan Parker a Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation manager, wrote that his agency accepted the test results on carbon monoxide emissions which were performed April 14-15 by AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
According to Parker's letter the tests were performed under four different sets of conditions and under each of those conditions carbon monoxide limits were met.
"The division agrees that US Nitrogen has fulfilled the performance test required" under its permit, the letter states.
"Based on this review, the division determined the report technically correct with regard to the test procedures employed," the letter states
He added that the tests also met the timeline requirements of its permit.
The letter notes that there are two ammonia production trains at the plant, each capable of producing 73 tons of ammonia over a 12 month period.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 16, 2020

TDEC Seeks to Amend Praxair Permit


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have issued a new and amended permit to a Greene County firm to correct a typographical error contained in the original permit issued several months ago.
The amended permit was issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation to Praxair Inc, a company that supplies liquid carbon dioxide to the beverage industry.
The permit issued by TDEC in February left out the word "shall" in a section setting a limit on the allowable visible emissions from the company's Midway manufacturing operations. The omission had the effect of eliminating the limit.
"Visible emissions from this facility shall not exhibit greater than 20 percent," the amended permit states.
The permit limits Praxair to the production of 90,789 tons of liquefied carbon dioxide in any 12 month period.
Praxair is one of three firms occupying a Midway site. The original occupant, US Nitrogen, produces ammonium nitrate and related products for its parent company, Austin Powder, an Ohio based explosives manufacturer.
The third firm, which has yet to go into operation is Yara Inc., a manufacturer of calcium nitrate.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

















Wednesday, June 10, 2020

US Nitrogen Ups River Use


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

The amount of free water drawn from a Tennessee river by a Greene County chemical firm jumped to 17 million gallons in May, a more than 4 million gallon increase, according to a report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The report filed today by US Nitrogen LLC shows the company pumped more than a million gallons per day from the Nolichucky River on seven days. The largest single day amount, 1.16 million gallons, was pumped to the Midway manufacturing facility on May 29. Minimal amounts were pumped from the Nolichucky on five days during the month.
Under its state permit, US Nitrogen is allowed to pump from the river at no charge. The permit does require the company to file monthly reports.
US Nitrogen uses the river water in the production of ammonium nitrate. The company has a separate permit which permits it to discharge unneeded water back in to the river.
During May the company discharged 6.4 million gallons back into the river. The largest amount, just shy of 500,000 gallons, was discharged on May 27. On 10 days the company discharged a minimal amount in to the river.
The May totals reflect a big jump from April when only 13 million gallons of water were pumped from the river, while 5.4 million was discharged back into the Nolichucky.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Tuesday, June 9, 2020

More US Nitrogen Tests Scheduled


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC, which has just completed one set of compliance tests, is about to undergo additional tests to ensure its operations comply with limits on ammonia and visible emissions ...and still other engineering tests are in the planning stages.
Under a plan submitted in May, a third party, AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions, will, conduct emissions tests on June 14 and June 15.
In a 15-page filing with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the Greene County chemical firm disclosed how the tests will be conducted in compliance with state and federal environmental requirements.
In new filings this week US Nitrogen told TDEC it is also be going to conduct engineering tests that "correlate nitrous oxide emissions with fuel combustion and ammonia injection."
According to the test protocol filed with the state, the tests will establish the rate of ammonia injections that ensure compliance with nitrous oxide limits "and do not result in ammonia slip that exceeds the ammonia emission limit."
According to the protocol, the company is proposing that it be allowed to exceed one condition of its current permit but that would occur only on the testing cycle.
Allowing the deviation, the protocol states would enable US Nitrogen "to collect valid operational data on nitrous oxide generation at various gas flows."
"US Nitrogen does not anticipate any permit emission limits to be exceeded," the protocol concludes.
The two upcoming tests follow additional emission tests performed at the Midway facility earlier this year. A TDEC spokeswoman said those tests were successfully completed.









Monday, May 18, 2020
US Nitrogen Submits Test Plans

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm has submitted a 15-page document detailing how tests will be conducted to determine if the Midway facility is operating in compliance with permits issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
US Nitrogen LLC, which manufactures ammonium nitrate and related products, submitted the details of how tests will be conducted to show compliance limits for emissions of ammonia and visible emissions. The tests will be conducted by a third party, AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
The US Nitrogen submission also provides a detailed description of the three step process of manufacturing nitric acid, a key component in the process.
According to the filing the test will determine if the company's pollution control equipment including a selective catalytic reduction unit adequately controls nitrous oxide and related emissions.
The testing document states that the process produces nitric acid by combining nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen tetroxide with water.
Under the permit US Nitrogen is limited to the production of 600 tons of nitric acid per day. Under the test protocol a minimum daily production level of 451 tons.
A series of charts and diagrams show where AMP Cherokee will collect samples to determine compliance.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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Wednesday, May 20, 2020

US Nitrogen Application Questioned


By Walter F. Roche Jr.


Tennessee environmental officials have raised questions about an application form recently submitted by a chemical manufacturing firm and are asking whether the company is producing chemicals for other purposes than those currently approved.
In an e-mail to US Nitrogen's Stephen Wallace, TDEC's Maybelle Sparks wrote that an application submitted by US Nitrogen on April 27 contained language that "seems to imply that some ANSOL (Ammonium Nitrate Solution) may be used for purposes other than the manufacture of explosives."
"Will ANSOL be used for any other purpose," the email concludes.
The April 27 US Nitrogen application was for the renewal of the permit that allows the Midway firm to discharge effluent back into the Nolichucky River.
The email also warns US Nitrogen that because of the notice of incompleteness, the agency may request additional submissions in the future.
The language sparking the inquiry refers to secondary operations that may also include production of calcium nitrate and compresed carbon dioxide gas.
Those products, according to prior filings, are actually to be produced by two companies, Praxair and Yara, sharing the Midway site with US Nitrogen.
In another development TDEC officials reported that US Nitrogen successfully completed testing of its operations on May 14 and 15.
TDEC spokeswoman said the results of the emissions factor test will be used to establish parameters to determine the company's continued compliance with its permits.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, May 18, 2020

US Nitrogen Submits Test Plans


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm has submitted a 15-page document detailing how tests will be conducted to determine if the Midway facility is operating in compliance with permits issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
US Nitrogen LLC, which manufactures ammonium nitrate and related products, submitted the details of how tests will be conducted to show compliance limits for emissions of ammonia and visible emissions. The tests will be conducted by a third party, AMP Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
The US Nitrogen submission also provides a detailed description of the three step process of manufacturing nitric acid, a key component in the process.
According to the filing the test will determine if the company's pollution control equipment including a selective catalytic reduction unit adequately controls nitrous oxide and related emissions.
The testing document states that the process produces nitric acid by combining nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen tetroxide with water.
Under the permit US Nitrogen is limited to the production of 600 tons of nitric acid per day. Under the test protocol a minimum daily production level of 451 tons.
A series of charts and diagrams show where AMP Cherokee will collect samples to determine compliance.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, May 11, 2020

US Nitrogen Water Use Report


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC pumped only 13 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River in the month of April, according to a report filed by the Greene County chemical firm with Tennessee environmental regulators.
The one-page monthly report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation also shows that on nine days, including April 13-15, during the 30 day period only a minimal amount was withdrawn. In the prior month the company reported taking 18.65 million gallons from the river.
Operating under a series of special state permits the Midway company is able to draw millions of gallons of water per year for use in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate and related projects.
The report shows that on four days during the month the company drew more than one million gallons from the river. The highest single day total was 1.19 million gallons drawn on April 28.
According to the report the company discharged 5.4 million gallons of waste water back into the river. On 10 of those days only a minimal amount was discharged. The highest single day discharge was 486,000 gallons on April 1. That compares with 9.4 million gallons discharged into the river in March.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Thursday, May 7, 2020

TDEC To Check USN NOX Emissions


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have told a local activist that they will consider the results of recently performed performance tests at a Greene County chemical firm to ensure that it is operating within specified emission limits.
In an email to Park Overall, James Johnston of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, said that while the purpose of the recent performance tests was different from the initial 2016 performance test at US Nitrogen LLC, the agency will review the test results from tests performed from April 13-15 and determine if those results indicate the company is in compliance with limits on nitrous oxide emissions.
The email to Overall comes just one day after TDEC approved an amendment to US Nitrogen's operating permit. The company had requested approval for an alternative method of determining compliance with emission limits.
The permit was initially issued late last year. It will not expire until April 1, 2029.
Under the permit US Nitrogen is limited to emissions of .38 pounds per ton on ammonia produced. The permit also sets limits on emissions from two ammonia trains the facility utilizes.
US Nitrogen had requested a change in its permit on March 24 and Overall had responded on April 7 requesting that the recently completed performance tests be considered in determining compliance.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Monday, April 27, 2020

US Nitrogen Seeks Nolichucky Permit Renewal


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC, the Greene County chemical firm, is seeking to renew the permit that allows the company to discharge some 500,000 gallons of wastewater per day into the Nolichucky River.
The 45-page submission, including several appendices, lists dozens of pollutants, some of which the application states, are believed to be present when the wastewater is pumped into the river.
The permit is one of two highly controversial to be granted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The permit that allows the company to draw some 1.9 million gallons of water per day from the Nolichucky was renewed last year following a sparsely attended public hearing.
The discharge renewal application was submitted along with a one-page cover letter from Dylan Charles, US Nitrogen's plant manager. The current permit expires Oct. 31.
As the application states, the company's primary product is ammonium nitrate, which is used by US Nitrogen's parent company, Ohio based Austin Powder, in the production of explosives. The explosives are manufactured at a different site.
According to the application some 573,000 gallons of wastewater per day will be pumped from US Nitrogen's Midway manufacturing facility to mile marker 20.8 on the Nolichucky. In its latest monthly report to TDEC, the company reported discharging 9.4 million gallons into the Nolichucky in March
Among the chemicals the company says it believes to be present in the wastewater are bromide, fecal coliform, chlorine and molybdenum.
Copper, according to the application, is believed to be present because it is used as a treatment chemical.
In a past report the company reported that it believed that thallium was present in the water. A subsequent investigation by TDEC, however, found no trace of the chemical.
The application states that the company had two different tests performed by an outside laboratory for acute or chronic toxicity. The tests were submitted on April 30, 2017, but the application does not indicate the outcome.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Saturday, April 11, 2020

US Nitrogen Files Compliance Report


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC has told Tennessee officials it fully complied with the provisions of its permit in the production of tons of nitric acid at its Greene County manufacturing facility.
The massive Annual Permit Compliance Report, complete with hourly reports on emission levels, shows that on nearly 100 days between January and August in 2019, no nitric acid was produced.
In fact, the daily production report shows that in many months, there was no nitric acid production on 20 or more days.
In March of 2019, for instance, there was no nitric acid production from March 7 to March 29. In June there was no nitric acid production from June 4 to June 24.
The data was sent as an attachment to a letter from US Nitrogen Plant Manager Dylan Charles to Michelle Owenby, head of the air pollution control division of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
In the letter Charles disclosed that there was only a four period in February where emissions monitoring equipment was not in operation. The Feb. 25 gap, according to the letter, was due to routine maintenance.
According to Charles, the company complied with various limits set out in the permit, including limiting nitric acid production to 600 tons per day. Other limits include the emission of no more than 54.8 tons of nitrous oxides per year.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com


Wednesday, April 8, 2020

US Nitrogen Tests to Begin


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have disclosed key tests at a Greene County chemical firm will take place next week with state officials due to be in attendance.
According to an email from an official of the state Department of Environment and Conservation the tests will get under way on Monday with preparatory work by AMP Cherokee, the company brought in by US Nitrogen. The tests will be conducted on the company's two ammonia trains, key elements in the production of ammonium nitrate, one of the company's main products.
According to the email sent to Park Overall, a local environmental activist, actual tests on the first ammonia train will begin at mid-morning on Tuesday. Overall has been pressing state officials for details on the timing of the tests.
Tests on the second ammonia train will take place Wednesday.
A critical part of the tests will be the startups of the two trains and the level of emissions recorded during each step of that process. The company has encountered problems in some previous start ups.
In a related development Overall has challenged the methodology proposed by US Nitrogen in setting standards for the production of anhydrous ammonia, a separate product produced by the Midway firm.
In a April 7 letter to TDEC official Michelle Owenby Overall wrote that the method proposed by US Nitrogen could result in the company underestimating the projected emissions.
The company has proposed that the standard be based on the results of a test conducted on Nov. 21 and 22 of 2016.
Overall, however, proposed that TDEC should also consider the latest test results and apply the higher standard, either the 2016 test results or the latest tests.
The higher factor should apply, Overall wrote.
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Thursday, April 2, 2020

US Nitrogen Nearly Doubles River Use


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC nearly doubled the amount of free water it pumped from the Nolichucky River in the month of March, according to a report filed today with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The report by the Greene County chemical firm shows a total of 18.65 million gallons were pumped from the river, nearly double the 9.9 million the company used in February.
In a related matter local environmental activist Park Overall has called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to hold a public hearing on US Nitrogen's production of anhydrous ammonia at its Midway facility.
Her request was prompted by US Nitrogen's recent request for a clarification and amendment to its permit to produce anhydrous ammonia.
In her letter Overall wrote that long after it first announced plans to build an ammonium nitrate plant in Tennessee "US Nitrogen has still not decided what it's going to make."
She said a hearing was necessary because of the increased risk to the local community from anhydrous ammonia production.
In its monthly report to TDEC, US Nitrogen reported it drew over 1 million gallons from the Nolichucky on 10 separate days. On March 9 it drew 1.9 million gallons, the highest of the month.
On six days it drew a minimal amount from the river. On March 4 and March 6 no water was withdrawn.
The company report shows a total of 9.4 million gallons were discharged back into the river in March, compared to the 5.8 million discharged into the river in February.
On 11 days of March US Nitrogen discharged more than 400,000 gallons into the Nolichucky. On four days a minimal amount was discharged to the river.
Under its state permits US Nitrogen is required to file monthly reports on its river water use.
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Tuesday, March 31, 2020

US Nitrogen Seeks Permit Change


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical company has requested approval from Tennessee environmental officials for a change or clarification in one of its permits to operate a plant producing anhydrous ammonia.
In a recent letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Protecion, Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen said the change was being sought to eliminate confusion over what emission standard the company must maintain.
The proposed change would make it clear that the standard is based on an initial performance test performed at the Midway facility on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22 of 2016.
The standard in question involves the levels of nitrous oxide allowable under the permit.
The apparent confusion surfaced when the chemical firm announced plans to undertake a series of performance tests.
In a separate but related action a TDEC official has notified US Nitrogen that it has reviewed recent submissions by the company detailing emissions for the last quarter of 2018 and 2019.
Bryan Parker of TDEC wrote that the records showed US Nitrogen did not exceed the emissions limits for nitrous oxides during the time periods in question.
Parker wrote that the data for the anhydrous ammonia plant and the nitric acid plant "achieved the required 95 percent operational availability level" for the time periods.

Tuesday, March 17, 2020

US Nitrogen Sets Compliance Tests


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen has given state environmental officials 30 days notice of its plan to conduct tests to determine if its ammonium nitrate manufacturing facility is operating within the limits set in its state permits.
In a letter to the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen stated that the performance test will be performed on April 13 by a North Carolina firm, AMP-Cherokee Environmental Solutions.
In a 17-page attachment, the company gave details of how the test will be conducted on both of its ammonium train production units. Previously the company had indicated it might be testing only one of the two trains.
According to the protocol the tests will check the levels of carbon monoxide, ammonia and nitrous oxides emitted from the plants from start-up to full production to shutdown. US Nitrogen has experienced difficulties in prior start-ups.
The tests will also show whether the selective catalytic reduction mechanism is functioning properly. The SCR is designed to ensure emission limits for nitrous oxides are not exceeded.
Under its permit US Nitrogen is limited to producing 73 tons of anhydrous ammonia in any 12 month period.
According to the protocol the tests will establish a range of ammonia injection rates that will ensure that emissions do not exceed permit limits.

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Two US Nitrogen Permits Expiring


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Two of the state permits for a Greene County chemical firm will expire next month but state environmental officials say expected renewal requests will not be the subject of public hearings.
The two permits, one covering US Nitrogen LLC's water treatment plant and the other applying to its manufacturing operations, expire April 14.
The permits,known as Tennessee Stormwater Multi-Sector General Permits (TMSP), are not subject to public hearing requirements, according to Kim Schofinski of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The TDEC spokeswoman said the overall state permit for the stormwater program is expiring on the same date, April 14, and TDEC will be issuing a notice for a hearing on the renewal of the general permit.
"Issuing coverage to individual facilities is not subject to public notice or public hearing requirements," she added.
According to guidelines from TDEC, stormwater permits are required for nearly all industrial operations.
While certain industrial operations can opt to seek an individual stormwater permit, most seek coverage under the general permit.
In compliance with its permits US Nitrogen has submitted periodic reports on the stormwater runoff collected and analyzed from its Midway operations.
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Thursday, March 5, 2020

US Nitrogen Reports 10 Dry Days


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen drew no water from the Nolichucky River for a total of 10 days during the month of February, according to a report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The one-page monthly report showed that from Feb. 11 to Feb. 18 and from Feb. 23 to Feb. 25 the chemical firm pumped no water from the river. It marks the most days without river water use since the company began using the waterway in its production of ammonium nitrate and other related chemicals.
Overall in February the company reported it pumped 9.9 million gallons from the Nolichucky and it also discharged 5.8 million gallons back in to the river. On only one day, Feb. 16, the company reported no water was discharged into the river.
The report states that US Nitrogen withdrew some water from the river on 19 days of the month but on six of those days only a minimal amount was withdrawn.
The report comes after US Nitrogen told state officials it was considering at least a partial shutdown of its operations in March to conduct compliance testing. US Nitrogen officials did not respond to questions about its shutdown and testing plans.
The February totals show declines in both the water pumped from the river and the amount discharged compared to January. In that month US Nitrogen pumped 13 million gallons from the river and discharged 7.7 million back into the Nolichucky.
In a related development Yara North America, which operates on the same Greene County site, reported that it complied with the limits in its state permit, because the company has yet to begin production.
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Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Whoops!! TDEC Permit Has Typo


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A recently granted permit to a Greene County chemical firm has a typographical error and apparently will have to be amended.
The seven-page permit issued by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation on Jan. 30 to Praxair, Inc. leaves out a key verb, Shall.
In an internal TDEC memo posted today, an official of the agency's air pollution control division, asked a colleague about the procedure to be followed for such a change.
Praxair, a supplier of liquid carbon dioxide to the beverage industry, is one of three firms occupying a multi-acre site in Midway.
"The operating permit for Praxair Inc. needs to be amended," Shawn Auth wrote in the email to the Air Permit Control permitting section and TDEC employee Doug Wright.
The word "shall" was apparently omitted in the following sentence: "Visible emissions from this facility not exhibit greater than 20 percent."
Under the permit Praxair was given the right to produce up to 90,789 tons of carbon dioxide in any 12 month period. Once amended it will limit visible emissions to 20 percent. The permit expires April 1, 2029. The other firms operating on the same site are US Nitrogen and Yara Inc.
US Nitrogen was issued a new conditional major operating permit in December. It expires on April 1, 2029.
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Tennessee environmental officials have issued a separate permit to Praxair, Inc. a major supplier of liquefied carbon dioxide to the soft drink industry.
Praxair, which operates on the same Green County site as US Nitrogen, will get carbon dioxide in gas form from US Nitrogen LLC, and then liquefy it before shipping to customers.
The permit, which was issued Thursday by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, will be effective until April 1, 2029.
Praxair initially did not have a separate permit but was covered under a permit issued to US Nitrogen.
The seven-page permit sets annual limits on the amount of carbon dioxide the company can produce and also limits some of the air pollutants it can emit.
Under the permit Praxair must limit opacity at 20 percent for any six minutes in a one hour period and to four six minute periods in any 24 hour period. The company must also maintain records of emissions in any start ups or shutdowns.
The permit limits the company's water use to 2,400 gallons per minute and limits the amount of liquefied carbon dioxide produced to 90,789 tons per any 12 month period.
Finally the company must maintain logs showing the amount of carbon dioxide received from US Nitrogen and the amount of liquefied carbon dioxide shipped out.
Yet another permit is expected to be issued to Yara, Inc. which also operates on the same Midway site and previously was covered under a US Nitrogen permit.
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Friday, February 7, 2020

US Nitrogen Disables Auxiliary Burners


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

US Nitrogen LLC has sent photographic proof to Tennessee environmental officials that they have disabled two pipes feeding natural gas to auxiliary burners in its manufacturing operations.
The chemical company was required to submit the photos under the provisions of a revised permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
The submission was one of several developments this week at the Greene County facility which produces ammonium nitrate and related products for use by its Ohio parent, Austin Powder.
The company also submitted a report showing that it withdrew 13.1 million gallons of water from the Nolichucky River during the month of January.
In a third development TDEC officials sent a letter to Park Overall, a local resident and environmental activist, stating that after an investigation the agency concluded that a large visible plume emanating from US Nitrogen on Jan. 18 did not violate the company's opacity limits set in one of its state permits.
"There was no finding of non-compliance," Ron Wilhoit wrote in the letter to Overall, who had sent photos of the plume to the agency.
Wilhoit added that the plume consisted of water vapor and "such a plume would not be considered a visible emission subject to this permit's opacity limit."
In yet another development, US Nitrogen has recommended a language change in one of its state permits to clarify the limits on carbon monoxide emissions and the requirements for compliance testing to confirm compliance.
The apparent confusion surfaced recently when the company and TDEC officials exchanged emails about the upcoming performance testing.
The permit change would limit carbon monoxide emissions to 8.32 pounds per hour or 36.44 tons in any 12 month period.
The river water report submitted to TDEC shows that the company pumped more than 800,000 gallons from the Nolichucky River on nine days during January, with the highest amount on Jan. 22. On eight days only a minimal amount was pumped from the river.
The company discharged 7.7 million gallons of water back in to the river. On nine days in the month the discharges totaled more than 400,000 gallons. On five days including Jan. 1 and Jan. 2 only a minimal amount was discharged.
In its last report covering the month of December US Nitrogen reported drawing 12.7 million gallons from the river and discharging about 6 million. The monthly reports are required under one of the company's permits.
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Friday, January 31, 2020

Praxair Gets New Permit


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental officials have issued a separate permit to Praxair, Inc. a major supplier of liquefied carbon dioxide to the soft drink industry.
Praxair, which operates on the same Green County site as US Nitrogen, will get carbon dioxide in gas form from US Nitrogen LLC, and then liquefy it before shipping to customers.
The permit, which was issued Thursday by the Air Pollution Control Division of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, will be effective until April 1, 2029.
Praxair initially did not have a separate permit but was covered under a permit issued to US Nitrogen.
The seven-page permit sets annual limits on the amount of carbon dioxide the company can produce and also limits some of the air pollutants it can emit.
Under the permit Praxair must limit opacity at 20 percent for any six minutes in a one hour period and to four six minute periods in any 24 hour period. The company must also maintain records of emissions in any start ups or shutdowns.
The permit limits the company's water use to 2,400 gallons per minute and limits the amount of liquefied carbon dioxide produced to 90,789 tons per any 12 month period.
Finally the company must maintain logs showing the amount of carbon dioxide received from US Nitrogen and the amount of liquefied carbon dioxide shipped out.
Yet another permit is expected to be issued to Yara, Inc. which also operates on the same Midway site and previously was covered under a US Nitrogen permit.
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Thursday, January 30, 2020

Study Details Injuries from Chemical Spill


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A study just released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention details how the accidental release of anhydrous ammonia in Illinois a year ago sickened some 83 area residents some requiring intubation and up to a week of hospitalization.
Anhydrous ammonia is one of the products produced at the Greene County plant of US Nitrogen and the study states, "Exposure to anhydrous ammonia gas can cause severe respiratory and ocular damage."
The chemical was released when a tractor hauling two large tanks of anhydrous ammonia on a local road in Lake County Illinois malfunctioned releasing at least 500 gallons of the chemical in a residential neighborhood.
US Nitrogen, according to its own website, produces anhydrous ammonia by converting methane and then uses the anhydrous ammonia to produce "nitric acid, ammonium nitrate and a product called hydroxy-503, a compound used by its parent company, Austin Powder, to produce explosives.
US Nitrogen officials did not respond to a request for comment.
The federal study of the 2019 Illinois incident involved a review of medical records and a series of interviews with victims, some of who were first responders.
The release of the gas in April of last year in Illinois not only injured residents but stripped trees, leaving 81 trees visibly damaged.
A total of 83 persons were affected and 14 were hospitalized including seven who suffered respiratory failure, the study states. Eight victims ended up in intensive care units.
The incident occurred at 4:24 a.m when the tractor was going down a two lane main highway and experienced equipment failure on the two two ton tanks of anhydrous ammonia.
"Release of the ammonia created a large, low-lying plume of white gas, which, because of cool, humid air and calm winds, lingered in the area and surrounded nearby homes," the report states.
Cars and trucks on the highway stalled out when they encountered the plume and drivers and passengers "were overcome by gas, reporting an acrid smell and taste, throat irritation, coughing, difficulty breathing and choking."
There were no deaths, the report states.
Citing communication problems in the response to the incident, the study recommends a series of steps to ensure injuries are minimized in the event of any future incidents.
"Preparation for hazardous materials responses should ensure timely and informative public communication, effective communication among first responders," the report states, adding that regular hazmat exercises should be conducted for all response and support personnel.
Noting that some health care workers were sickened after coming in contact with the clothing of victims, the study states,"Hospitals also need to review institutional policies and procedures for chemical mass casualty events, including decontamination."
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Friday, January 24, 2020

US Nitrogen Planning Tests


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A Greene County chemical firm is planning a partial shutdown in March in order to conduct performance testing on its ammonium nitrate manufacturing operations as required under its permit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
In a series of emails between TDEC and Stephen Wallace of US Nitrogen which were just made public today, some details of the testing procedure were disclosed. They show TDEC has offered a series of options for the company to meet permit requirements.
Wallace wrote in an email to James Johnston of TDEC, that the company was in the initial process of developing the testing plan which calls for a shutdown of one of the company's two ammonia trains in March, with a re-start expected in early April.
Wallace said the company was proposing to test only one of the ammonia trains "since both trains are designed utilizing the same equipment and piping."
The emails disclose, however, that the two ammonia trains have a slight difference in heat output.
"If the company is willing to certify that the two units are identical, then the division would be willing to accept the results from one unit as being representative of the other," the email states.
If the two units are not identical, the email continues, then the division could accept the results on the train with the higher output as representative.
"There would need to be a formal proposal from the company," the email continues.
"If US Nitrogen is amenable to either of these two options, then you should submit test protocols as required" by the permit, the email states.
Another option offered by TDEC is for US Nitrogen to request an extension of the 180 day deadline so that both units can be tested.
The state official also noted that the permit also requires testing for carbon monoxide.
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Thursday, January 23, 2020

TDEC Approves USN Exemption


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Tennessee environmental regulators have given swift approval for US Nitrogen to install additional diesel fuel storage capacity without obtaining a special permit.
In a letter sent this week to the Greene County chemical company, James P. Johnson of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation wrote that the proposed 12,000 gallon diesel fuel storage tank would be exempt from permitting requirements.
US Nitrogen's plant manager, Dylan Charles, had written to the agency on Jan. 14 informing officials of the plant to install the storage tank and seeking the agency's acknowledgment that a permit would not be required.
In the same letter Charles notified TDEC that it also intended to install a 275 gallon storage tote which will be filled with a mixture of urea and water.
Johnson wrote in his letter that the tote would be considered an "insignificant activity," thus exempting it from permitting or other requirements.
The exemption is based on US Nitrogen's estimate that the tote will have emissions of less than five tons per year.
"All applicable air pollution regulations must still be met by your facility," Johnson wrote in the two-page letter.
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Thursday, January 16, 2020

US Nitrogen Seeks Exemption



US Nitrogen is asking Tennessee environmental officials to agree that the installation of a 12,000 gallon diesel fuel storage tank at its Greene County facility does not require a special permit.
In a letter to the Department of Environment and Conservation, Stephen Wallace, a US Nitrogen manager, stated that the diesel tank would not produce any carbon dioxide or nitrate emissions, though it would emit "a small amount" of volatile organic compounds.
In the letter Wallace requests TDEC's concurrence that installation of the tank qualifies as an exempted air contaminant source.
The letter also seeks TDEC approval for the installation of a 275 gallon "storage tote," which will be filled with urea and water.
Wallace wrote that the 275 gallon "tote" should be considered an "insignificant activity."
The request does not indicate why the additional storage capacity is needed.
The request was posted today on the TDEC data site. The
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Wednesday, January 15, 2020

Excess Nitrates in US Nitrogen Runoff


By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Excess levels of nitrates have shown up in runoff water at the site of a Greene County chemical firm, according to a report filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
Officials of US Nitrogen reported the excess in an annual report on storm water runoff from its Midway manufacturing facility. The primary product produced by the company is ammonium nitrate.
The company told TDEC that it plans to investigate to determine the source of nitrates and nitrites. While the "benchmark" level of notrates is .68 milligrams per liter, the level in the company tests was 1.18 milligrams per liter.
"The source is suspected to be a 20 foot long trench which was installed in early 2019 to collect storm-water from the rail loading area," the report from US Nitrogen's manager, Dylan Charles states, adding that the trench was used to re-direct water into an underflow which discharges to a drainage basin.
"We will conduct an investigation in this area to determine if this is the likely cause," Charles wrote.
The excess nitrates have not been listed in prior annual reports from the company.
Charles also reported that excess levels of aluminum and magnesium turned up in tests from other locations on the plant site. Those excesses have been reported previously, as Charles noted.
The company has attributed those findings to "background concentrations and/or water flowing over rock." The company official noted that excess levels of magnesium have shown up in the Nolichucky River.
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