Belcher hit with $180K fine
By Josh Press/ Staff Writer
Friday, February 10, 2006
A state Department of Environmental Protection official said he feels "confident things will happen" now that the Belcher Corporation has been issued a consent order and fined $180,000 for failing to meet state air pollution control requirements.
"The consent order lays out deadlines for a number of requirements," said DEP supervisor Dave Johnston. "It gives us certainty that specific things need to be completed and addresses outstanding issues. We're hopeful that the company will be able to do what it thinks it can do."
Belcher paid $15,000 Jan. 31 and owes another $15,000 by Oct. 30 for not abiding by an administrative consent order the plant and the DEP entered into in September 2004 for issues relating to odor, soot and dust emissions which neighbors have said for years have been coming from the facility.
Belcher will only have to pay the remaining $150,000 if it does not meet requirements set out by the new consent order.
By Feb. 28, Belcher must submit a comprehensive plan application relative to controlling odors, dust, noise and volatile organic compounds being emitted from the plant. Belcher must also evaluate advanced oxidation technology, thermal oxidation, negative pressure air systems and an activated carbon system.
By April 15, Belcher must have completed the installation and commenced operation of a new advanced oxidation system.
By April 30, Belcher must install or extend vent stacks in order to improve stack engineering design.
By May 31, Belcher must conduct testing to determine whether emissions from the facility are consistent with DEP's chemical health effects.
"It's always hard to move forward (with orders like these), said Belcher President Alan Burns, who estimated a new advanced oxidation system could cost about $500,000, "but we have reached an amicable agreement with (DEP). We've already done a lot of work on our side."
Despite the issuance of the order, neighbors still aren't convinced things will get accomplished.
"This has gone way back," said South Street resident George Allen, a member of grass-roots group Foundry Watch who believes levels of benzine are being emitted from the plant as well. "My sentiment and it's the sentiment of the group is why is this plant doing business when they have benzine coming from the plant. If (Belcher) doesn't meet the deadlines, (DEP) better hit them with that fine.
"We've had enough of the promises not being held to."
Josh press can be reached at 508-634-7564 or jpress@cnc.com
Copyright: Easton Journal on TownOnline.com
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