At a May 21 public hearing to address the J.R. Simplot Co.’s request to remove a production limit at its No. 300 sulfuric acid plant west of Pocatello, some public citizens criticized Simplot’s proposal and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality’s regulation of the company’s phosphate fertilizer complex.
Simplot estimates it would produce 2,000 tons of sulfuric acid per day without the 1,750-tons-per-day production limit. The IDEQ has proposed to issue an air quality permit allowing Simplot to remove the restriction without violating federal emissions standards or unreasonably impacting humans, animals, or vegetation. The state agency has extended the public comment period until June 10.
Monty Johnson, a Simplot environmental engineer, testified annual emission limits will not increase as a result of lifting the sulfuric acid production limit. Sulfur dioxide emissions would remain the same, while nitrous oxides would decrease, he said, noting most of the plant’s odor is inherent with fertilizer manufacturing and comes primarily from phosphoric acid, not sulfur dioxide.
The Don Plant discharges about 565 tons of sulfur dioxide annually. Simplot anticipates that would increase to 602 tons if the sulfuric acid production limit were removed, but that would still be below the 750 tons allowed each year under federal standards.
Citizen Roger Turner said the way IDEQ has processed Simplot’s request may violate the federal Administrative Procedures Act, because there is a lack of information regarding which other sources at Simplot’s Don Plant would actually show increased emissions by boosting the sulfuric acid plant’s output. He said granting the permit does not address a possible increase in visible emissions or odors. There’s also no indication which sources at the plant are tested annually, he said, urging IDEQ to consider reopening the permit approval process.
Greg Helm, a citizen who has lived in Pocatello for 17 years and requested the public hearing, said an inordinately high 10 percent of local residents suffer respiratory ailments, including himself and two of his children, who have asthma. He said records show that in 2007 Simplot’s plant discharged 45 tons of carbon monoxide, 112 tons of nitrous oxides, 211 tons of particulates, 1,610 tons of sulfur dioxide, 750 tons of sulfuric acid, and 3.3 tons of volatile organic compounds into the air.
Helm noted the Michaud Flats area near the phosphate plants of Simplot and FMC has been designated a Superfund site. He also expressed concerns about the air quality impacts of Hoku’s polysilicon plant in Pocatello and Southeast Idaho Energy’s coal gasification plant near American Falls ?Çô projects that are scheduled to be completed in the near future.
Melissa Gibbs, IDEQ airshed coordinator in Pocatello, noted that automobile emissions and road sanding during the winter also impact the community’s air quality.
Dale Hofhine, a retired Simplot employee, said it is irrational for the company to increase its emissions at a time when the rest of the nation is “stepping down” because of global warming concerns. “I’ve never yet seen another plant comparable to the amount of daily pollutants coming out of this plant,” Hofhine said. “You can taste it.”
About 30 people attended the hearing and a public information session that preceded it.