Public voices opinion at Midwest Fertilizer permit hearing

Feb. 27--MOUNT VERNON, Ind. -- Midwest Fertilizer's planned Posey County fertilizer plant has been in the works for more than a year, and the process has included some dramatic swings of fortune.

But the project's air-quality permit hearing, held Wednesday at Mount Vernon High School, contained little drama. About 75 people turned out for the event, but only a few got up to speak. The public-hearing portion of the evening concluded within 15 minutes.

At issue is whether the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, or IDEM, should issue an air-quality permit that would allow Midwest Fertilizer to build and operate a nitrogen fertilizer plant.

The $2.4 billion facility is to be built west of Mount Vernon, at the corner of Old Indiana 69 and Mackey Ferry Road East.

IDEM says its preliminary findings indicate that the project should be allowed to move forward. But part of the permit process involves meetings like Wednesday's, where members of the public can ask questions and offer opinions on the issue. IDEM considers these comments before it makes a final decision.

Wednesday's gathering was in two parts. First was a public meeting, where individuals could ask questions and get answers from three IDEM representatives who sat at the front of the school auditorium.

A handful of people spoke, asking questions about such things as risk management concerns and whether the plant will emit bad odors.

Some of the questions were quite technical, focused on particular details of the permit application.

Addressing the question of odor, IDEM Branch Chief Matthew Stuckey said IDEM does not regulate odors, per se. But, he said, if a plant emits foul odors it's often a sign that some part of its operation is not working correctly. Neighbors who notice such things should record details and contact IDEM, Stuckey said.

Regarding risk management, Stuckey said that concern lies outside the scope of the air-quality permit.

This permit, Stuckey said, is not "all-inclusive," and it's one of a number of different requirements that project developers must meet.

After the public meeting came the official public hearing. At this point, speakers' remarks became part of the public record in the case. During such hearings, IDEM officials listen to comments but do not offer a response.

In this phase of the proceedings, four people spoke

The only one who spoke against the project was John Blair, representing the Evansville-based environmental group Valley Watch.

Blair said large manufacturing facilities such as the proposed plant emit ammonia into the air, harming human health.

And in Mount Vernon, Blair said, the fertilizer plant would join a number of large manufacturing sites that already operate in the town.

"Mount Vernon is one of the most toxic, polluted places on Earth," Blair said.

Blair also told the IDEM representatives, "I'm really disappointed to IDEM's approach to permitting in general."

In contrast, speaker Steve Wilson said he supports the fertilizer project, and he thanked IDEM for doing its due diligence on the project.

"What Mr. Blair said is his opinion," Wilson said.

Ed Adams, who said he was speaking on behalf of the Mount Vernon Redevelopment Commission, said his group offers its full support for the plant.

"This project will draw people to this area, and that's what we're for," Adams said.

Mark Beard, who said he spoke on behalf of "several thousand" construction workers, said he also supports the project, and added that "we appreciate everything the environmentalists do."

With those four comments offered, and with no other people stepping up to speak, the public hearing concluded after 13 minutes.

IDEM also accepted written comments at the meeting, and it will continue to do so until next week. Written comments that are submitted through Monday will be considered along with the oral comments delivered at the meeting.

Stuckey said sometimes IDEM gets many more written comments than it does oral comments, so a slow meeting doesn't necessarily indicate low interest in a project.

"The hearings aren't always indicative of what we receive (in written comments)."

Midwest Fertilizer representative Mike Chorlton, who sat in the audience but did not speak to the larger group, said he was there to "listen very carefully" to the comments offered.

"Clearly, we want to do what's right. There are a lot of regulations to be met, and we're going to meet them," Chorlton said.

Barring delays, IDEM's final permit decision is due in June.

Midwest Fertilizer plans to begin construction this summer.

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