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
No comments:
Post a Comment