Springfield, Ill.-Illinois has spread the second and final installment of the governor’s anhydrous ammonia security grants – amounting to $535,000 – among 50 agrichemical dealers, according to Jim Larkin, who administers the program in the state’s agriculture department. Larkin said the grants will primarily help with the purchase of locking devices, security cameras, and lighting, and in seven cases for treating the ammonia with the dye additive GloTell to discourage thefts for use in making methamphetamines. “We didn’t have as many additive requests as we expected,” he reported, adding that there was no interest at all in calcium nitrate being used in Iowa – probably because it’s still considered by some as unproven. But the department plans to continue to monitor the effectiveness of both additives. One of the grants, awarded to Effingham Equity for nearly $153,000, represented a third of the total. Larkin explained that in this case the money will be used for 12 different Effingham facilities in the south/central part of the state. Other larger grants, including $54,600 for AgLand FS Inc. in Pekin and $49,600 for Evergreen FS Inc. in Bloomington, were also for multiple facilities, Larkin said. Overall, he noted, 68 companies were granted funding for locking devices, 20 for security cameras, and 25 for lighting. He said that it’s up to the legislature to determine whether there will be any money for additional security help. The Illinois Fertilizer & Chemical Association said the program has been a big help and should be continued. “Partnering with the State of Illinois to enhance security and prevent ammonia theft not only improves safety and security at facilities, but also helps protect everyone in rural Illinois who has been dealing with meth-related problems for nearly a decade now. It is our hope that we can continue this valuable program in the future,” commented IFCA President Jean Payne.
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