Pocatello-Due to heightened public interest in Southeast Idaho Energy’s proposed nitrogen fertilizer plant that will use coal gasification technology near American Falls, the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality has scheduled an additional public information meeting and public hearing for 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, respectively, at the Pocatello City Council chambers. IDEQ recently conducted public meetings at Pocatello, American Falls, and Fort Hall regarding the $1 billion Power County Advanced Energy Center. IDEQ has determined that the plant’s operation under a proposed permit will not cause or contribute to violations of ambient air quality standards, nor harm nor affect human or animal life or local vegetation. Southeast Idaho Energy is a subsidiary of Refined Energy Holdings of New York. During a Sept. 22 meeting, IDEQ officials said the plant’s operations shouldn’t exceed air quality standards for several controlled emissions, including particulates, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, but it will release significant amounts of carbon dioxide, which is not regulated as a pollutant. The project will produce up to 500 tons per day of anhydrous ammonia, up to 1,800 TPD of granular urea, up to 1,600 TPD of a urea ammonium nitrate solution, and up to 500 TPD of sulfuric acid. SIE has decided against producing diesel fuel or generating electricity at the site as originally planned.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain