Trucking firm faces action in anhydrous leak

Springfield, Ill.-Illinois EPA, along with the Winnebago County sheriff’s office, has been investigating the April 23 release of up to 20 tons of anhydrous ammonia during unloading from a semi-transporter into a storage facility at a farm supply in the tiny town of Seward, and is recommending enforcement action against the trucking firm. Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott has asked the attorney general’s office to proceed with the action against Ellinor Trucking and River Rock Logistics of Lanark, alleging an inadequate transfer hose was used when an Ellinor employee prepared to offload the anhydrous ammonia to an above ground storage tank at Seward Ag Supply. The nighttime incident caused nearly all the residents of Seward to evacuate their homes to two high schools in nearby towns until the next morning. While no one was injured, ten individuals went to local hospitals complaining of throat irritation, and three cows and four pigs in a holding pen within about 200 yards of the facility were killed by the vapor, which hovered over the town for several hours. Illinois EPA said the decision to refer the case to the attorney general was due to the threat of air pollution that was potentially life-threatening to local citizens and the livestock in the surrounding area. The Illinois EPA also requested that Ellinor immediately cease using inadequate hoses and only use transfer hoses that are U.S. DOT approved for the relevant chemicals. “The deaths of the animals indicate the very severe risk that was posed to citizens in the surrounding area when the incident occurred,” said Illinois EPA. Seward Supply General Manager Dennis Ross told Green Markets that the decision has been made not to bring any more anhydrous ammonia into town. “We’re considering moving the facility permanently out of town,” Ross added, explaining that it’s not totally because of this incident since preliminary discussions were started six months ago. He said that Seward Supply has done business with Ellinor Trucking in the past and has found them reliable.