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A sea of white shirts that read, “We want clean air,” flooded grounds of the Alexandrian Public Library last week where local union workers and residents around the Consolidated Grain and Barge facility in Mount Vernon attended the public hearing for a new boiler.
When workers and residents arrived at the public hearing last week, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management provided a handout to explain the nature of the meeting.
“On March 14, 2006, IDEM received an application from Consolidated Grain & Barge Co., for a Significant Source Modification and a Significant Permit Modification to their Part 70 Permit that was issued February 20, 2001. If the modifications are approved by IDEM’s Office of Air Quality, CGB would be allowed to add two wood and shredded tire fired boilers. The proposed boilers will be controlled by an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) and will be equipped with a continuous opacity monitoring system (COMS),” according to the handout.
They also explained the purpose of the public meeting.
“The purpose of the public meeting is to provide an opportunity for all interested parties and IDEM staff to discuss how CGB fits into Indiana’s overall air regulatory program. IDEM will provide brief opening remarks and then open the floor to questions and comments. Oral comments will not be made a part of the record of this permit,” explained IDEM.
Anyone who wished to speak was told to fill out a form handed out by IDEM or sign a paper saying that they would like to comment.
Because many local residents and union workers were distraught that they did not have the opportunity to send offer written statements in opposition to the new boiler.
Many environmentalists were also on hand for the public hearing.
John Blair was one of the environmentalists to speak. He part of Valley Watch-Save Our Land and Environment.
Blair noted that one of his concerns is that IDEM doe not prevent permits. He also commented that they don’t watch emissions past startup and during the actual construction.
Don Motley, with Save Our Rivers, also spoke out about what this boiler would put into the local water supply.
Workers and residents are concerned about air quality and the fact that this could prevent any industrial expansion in the county because of emissions standards.
Attorney for the Pipefitters and Steamfitters Union Jennifer Keppler spoke on the members behalf. She went through a list of questions for IDEM officials.
The groups written comments were submitted July 19, to IDEM. It set forth significant concerns regarding the decline in air quality for Posey County residents and workers.
“We’re not opposed to new construction. We believe the existing permit has several glaring errors,” said Keppler.
“If they meet a certain standard, they [CGB] receive the permit,” said IDEM representatives. “Also Federal Standards for the proposed boilers will be in effect by the time the new boilers would be completed.”
Residents Bob and Susan Murray also spoke to the IDEM representatives. They have property a mile from the site.
Bob Murray asked if it was said that the permit would not be denied.
“The only way it would be denied is that it was proven that there are deficiencies in the permit. We don’t have the authority to just deny a permit because we don’t want to give one,” said IDEM reps.
Murray also asked about the odor of the plant. IDEM said they don’t have the authority to regulate odor.
Murray then asked about the laws about notifying the public.
“When the source is applying for a permit or a change to a permit, the company should notify the adjacent land owners,” said IDEM officials.
Murray then commented about the lack of public awareness.
IDEM representatives encouraged residents to sign up for their mailing list. They also placed the blame on the media by saying that residents should looking in the Public Notice section of the paper and local reporters should be aware of these things an look into them.
IDEM added that the permit should be on file in the library. Loren Evans, also a neighbor of the site, said that he looked in the library and consulted the staff and the permit was not on file in the Mount Vernon library.
Valerie West, who is also with Save Our Land and Environment, asked for more monitoring. She also attacked the purpose of IDEM.
“You’ve pretty much proved to us that the letters I-D-E-M don’t mean what they stand for. Maybe we should just appeal to CGB as good neighbors,” she said.
Other residents echoed the sentiments of others.
County Councilman Bob Deig also spoke. “As a county councilman, we want the economic development, but we also want to look at the health and safety of the people.”
He added that those opposed would have recourse if IDEM allows the permit.
The matter would have to go before Area Plan Commission’s Zoning Board to get the permits for land use before the boilers can be constructed.
A public hearing will be held on this matter when CGB applies for those permits.