By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Tennessee environmental officials have concluded that an exemption in a chemical company's permit allows it to exceed normal visible emissions limits during start-ups, shutdowns and malfunctions.
Responding to a complaint from a Mosheim resident, officials of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation said a review of photos and records of US Nitrogen LLC showed the excess visible emissions occurred on Nov. 10. when the company made three separate tries to get its nitric acid plant in operation.
In a two-page letter to Glen Carter, who filed the complaint, the TDEC officals said US Nitrogen made its first try for a startup at 6:13 a.m. on Nov.10 followed by another unsuccessful attempt at 7:13 a.m.
Startup was finally achieved at 9:32 a.m.
Carter's complaint included a photo of a plume emerging from a hillside in the general area of US Nitrogen's Midway plant and Sumiriko Limited
After an unannounced visit to the site on the same day Carter registered his complaint, TDEC officials concluded that the plume originated at US Nitrogen and not Sumiriko.
US Nitrogen's records showed the plume arose during the three attempted startups, the letter states.
In that letter to Carter, Preston Pierce and Ronnie Wilhoit of TDEC wrote, "Short term limits do not apply during start up, shutdown and malfunction."
They added that their review showed no exceedances of nitrous oxide emissions were recorded "once the facility achieved the production rate necessary to be considered out of startup."
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Wednesday, December 22, 2021
Friday, December 3, 2021
US Nitrogen Reports Another Malfunction
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
For the second month in a row a Greene County chemical company has reported that due to an equipment malfunction it had to estimate the amount of free water it drew from the Nolichucky River for use in the production of liquid ammonium nitrate and related chemicals.
The report filed this week with the state Department of Environment and Conservation by US Nitrogen states that the three day malfunction occurred from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17. During that three day period the company reported that it drew about 800,000 gallons per day from the Nolichucky.
In the prior report covering the month of October the firm reported a similar glitch occurred from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13. In the new monthly report, which is required under US Nitrogen's state permit, the company reported withdrawing 17.18 million gallons from the river. That is down slightly from the 17.7 milliom withdrawn in October.
In the same report the chemical firm reported discharging 5.2 million gallons back into the river.
On three days in November, Nov. 14 to Nov.16, the company reported pumpimg over 800,000 gallons from the river.
It discharged over 500,000 gallons back into the river on five days during the month with the total topping more than 400,000 on five days.
On 12 days during the month, including Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, it reported it only discharged minimal amounts back in to the Nolichucky.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
For the second month in a row a Greene County chemical company has reported that due to an equipment malfunction it had to estimate the amount of free water it drew from the Nolichucky River for use in the production of liquid ammonium nitrate and related chemicals.
The report filed this week with the state Department of Environment and Conservation by US Nitrogen states that the three day malfunction occurred from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17. During that three day period the company reported that it drew about 800,000 gallons per day from the Nolichucky.
In the prior report covering the month of October the firm reported a similar glitch occurred from Oct. 11 to Oct. 13. In the new monthly report, which is required under US Nitrogen's state permit, the company reported withdrawing 17.18 million gallons from the river. That is down slightly from the 17.7 milliom withdrawn in October.
In the same report the chemical firm reported discharging 5.2 million gallons back into the river.
On three days in November, Nov. 14 to Nov.16, the company reported pumpimg over 800,000 gallons from the river.
It discharged over 500,000 gallons back into the river on five days during the month with the total topping more than 400,000 on five days.
On 12 days during the month, including Nov. 25 to Nov. 27, it reported it only discharged minimal amounts back in to the Nolichucky.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
Thursday, December 2, 2021
Defense Giant Faces TN Fines
By Walter F. Roche Jr.
One of the world's largest defense contractors, England based BAE Systems, has been fined $49,980 for multiple violations of environmental rules at its facilities in Hawkins County.
The notice of violation was issued last month by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation due to repeated violations of limits on wastewater runoff at its Holsron Army Ammunition plant in Kingsport.
"The respondent has appeared on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's quarterly non-compliance report for multiple quarters from Sept. 30, 2019 to Oct. `1, 2021," the 11-page citation states.
The excess runoff flowed into the Holston River and its Arnott Branch, according to the violation notice.
The facility produces explosives for the U.S. Department of Defense and the company states it operates with state-of-the-art equipment.
According to TDEC the company self reported some 20 instances of excess effluent runoff from 2019 to 2021,
"By exceeding the effluent limitations and violating the terms of its (NPDES) permit, the respondent has violated the state Water Quality Control Act," TDEC notice states.
Under the notice BAE must submit a corrective action plan within 90 days, but the company may also file an appeal and request a public hearing.
BAE has been described as the third largest defense contractor in the world and boasts that it is a major supplier of exlosive materials for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on the TDEC findings.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
One of the world's largest defense contractors, England based BAE Systems, has been fined $49,980 for multiple violations of environmental rules at its facilities in Hawkins County.
The notice of violation was issued last month by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation due to repeated violations of limits on wastewater runoff at its Holsron Army Ammunition plant in Kingsport.
"The respondent has appeared on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's quarterly non-compliance report for multiple quarters from Sept. 30, 2019 to Oct. `1, 2021," the 11-page citation states.
The excess runoff flowed into the Holston River and its Arnott Branch, according to the violation notice.
The facility produces explosives for the U.S. Department of Defense and the company states it operates with state-of-the-art equipment.
According to TDEC the company self reported some 20 instances of excess effluent runoff from 2019 to 2021,
"By exceeding the effluent limitations and violating the terms of its (NPDES) permit, the respondent has violated the state Water Quality Control Act," TDEC notice states.
Under the notice BAE must submit a corrective action plan within 90 days, but the company may also file an appeal and request a public hearing.
BAE has been described as the third largest defense contractor in the world and boasts that it is a major supplier of exlosive materials for the U.S. Department of Defense.
The company did not respond to a request for comment on the TDEC findings.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com
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