Ohio EPA: Proposed plant should cause no health issues
COMMENT: "What do you think of the possible venture?
MORE: Related stories and AK coverage
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — The $300 million proposed coke plant to be built in a partnership with AK Steel Corp. and SunCoke "should cause no health concerns" for city residents, an Ohio EPA official said.
"(The proposed facility) is definitely a cleaner way of making coke," said Mike Hopkins, assistant chief for permitting with the Division of Air Pollution Control with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
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Get latest headlines via RSS feedsAlthough the proposed site for the coke facility is near Amanda Elementary School and Garden Manor Nursing Home, Hopkins said the state EPA would not approve the permit for construction unless their studies showed the facility would not be a health hazard or release emissions beyond what the government regulates.
"The purpose of our review and our involvement of issuing a permit for this facility is that it operates in compliance with emission and health codes and that no adverse health effects would occur to residents near the facility," Hopkins said.
After construction of the facility, the EPA would require emissions tests to show it was up to standards before issuing a permit to operate, he said.
"There will be extensive tests before the facility will ever be built," Hopkins said. "We do computer models to figure out downwind concentrations, to make sure they are restricted so any downwind would not cause adverse health effects."
Some of the gases that could be emitted from the facility include nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and dioxide, sulfur dioxide and particulants such as dust and dirt, Hopkins said.
Heather Lauer, spokeswoman for the Ohio EPA, said the technology for the new coke plant would be much better for the environment than the one already operating at the Middletown Works.
"Right now we think this type of coke oven is the future and we think they are cleaner than the old, existing types," Hopkins said.
If the zoning change is approved, it then would take approximately six months for the Ohio EPA to review the application and approve it for the company to begin construction.
A public hearing for concerns about the proposed coke facilities would be held prior to approval by the Ohio EPA within the next four to five months, Hopkins said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jlander@coxohio.com.
Comments
By Britney
May 10, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this
I just got a job at Garden Manor and I am starting to care alot about the residents. Some have lived there for almost 20 years and now they will have to move their home because of where they want to put this coke plant. How will we tell them they will be forced to move? Also there is 400 employees with Garden Manor some of which have been there 20 or so years and will be out of a job. The houses near by will decrease in value by thousands. Would u wanna live by a coke plant??
By jane doe
May 9, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
Put the coke plant next door to the AK big shots that live in West Chester.
By Smarter than the EPA
April 8, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this
Be sure to read my comments starting with my first one. I know all of this information because I am working with a group of highly educated people trying to reverse the detrimental effects caused by the coke plant in Indianapolis. It is impossible to make everything healthy again but we are doing our best to make the nearly 160 acres that the coke plant occupied suitable for the public to occupy. It will take 5 to 6 years and millions of dollars just to repair the serious damage caused.
By Smarter than the EPA
April 8, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
for a very large percentage. A public school nearby had to be shut down because of the health concerns. That school had the highest rate of respiratory problems compared to the entire city. Benzene is a known Carcinogen. I have a list several pages thick of all of the chemicals released into the surrounding area due to the coke plant. Please take this proposal seriously because yes it may create jobs but it will likely make you have a shorter life.
By Smarter than the EPA
April 8, 2008 1:24 AM | Link to this
“should cause no health concerns”, that comment is a joke. Public officials just see $$$$$$$, and they are blinded by everything else. For those of you directly affected by this, look into the Citizens Gas Coke Plant located on the near southeast side of Indianapolis. The coke plant is now shut down due to multi million dollar loss in revenue. And because it was killing the surrounding 1/2 mile radius. The amount of benzene released in the air because of the plant caused severe breathing…
By Tony
March 16, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this
The Coke Plant should be built on AK Property. There are several locations that would be better than building it near Garden Manor & Amanda School. Build it 1) where Old #2 Open Hearth stood. 2) finish tearing down the old coke Battery that was partialy torn down 10 years ago & build it next to the exsisting Coke Battery. 3)Across Oxford state road from AK Steel. 4)West Chester next to AK New Office. 5) Indian Hills next door to James Wainscott 6 Million dollar Home he built.
By voice of reason
March 16, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Jobs are wonderful things to have in a City everyone needs a job, however look at the facts.
1) Consider how nasty, noisy and ugly a conveyor belt to feed the coke to AK Steel across Yankee and Oxford State will be. Is this what the City of Middletown residents want. 2) If you take the time to read the City of Middletown’s Master Plan (that was paid for by City tax dollars) there are NUMEROUS indications by professionals that state the City should concentrate on “Brownfield” redevelopment
By Dhara Parmar
March 16, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Can you please send me the list of various industries affliated or using coke oven?
By mac
March 12, 2008 11:59 PM | Link to this
Yes David people that work do pay taxes, but how many tax dollars are you going to get off of 50 to 100 $10.00 per hour jobs? It will cost the city more than what can be gained, city services such as fire, police. public works, etc. cost money.
By Bob
March 12, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Let Middletown grow!! After all Monroe is already a “dead spot” on the map and will continue to rot in the future.
By David
March 12, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
GM and Suncoke mean jobs and if I’m not mistaken, people with jobs pay taxes.
By enough
March 12, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Dont give way to AK Steel for anything, NOTHING!!!! They shafted the retirees and they will do the same to you and anyone else. They don’t care for anyone except their own self. Money is their only concern. This coke plant will be no different than the one they now have. They have land where the old #2 open hearth use to be, they can build it there.
By mc
March 12, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this
SunCoke doesn’t want Monroe to have to supply them with water, sewers or anything else. Because they sure won’t get it. I’ve lived in Monroe for 19 yrs. now and have no water, sewers or anything else except their TAXES. Have to pay $3.00 a month added to garbage bill for sewers we don’t even have. What a rip off and all of us D—B people in Monroe pay it. They can afford new city building, new fire stations and what a joke historical building but they won’t get water and sewers for some.
By mac
March 12, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
The GM deal was only a good deal for GM NOT Monroe. I am glad that the leaders of Monroe said no. GM wanted a 10 year zero tax deal, how is this good for Monroe, and after that 10 years GM would have moved to the next town willing to give them a zero tax deal and left behind an empty building.
By David
March 12, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
They blew the GM deal now they are going to blow this deal. What’s wrong with you people.
By Never Forget
March 12, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Why don’t AK build this coke battery over in West Chester, They seem to like it better over there anyway. Don’t forget Middletown council, AK management turned it’s back on Middletown and now it wants favors. There will be no jobs gain because once the new coke battery is done the old one in Middletown works will be shut down and those jobs will be lost. The battery in Middletown works only has permits to run for another 2 or 3 years and then it has to be shut down.
By small business owner
March 12, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
To pass up this economic opportunity for Middletown and the surrounding area would be irresponsible on the part of our elected city council. Middletown is in desparate need of new business interest and development. Employees working at the new facility would be paying payroll taxes to the city of Middletown, shopping at our stores, eating at our restaurants and buying our homes. This could only help to increase the value of our local real estate.
By Ron
March 12, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this
If AK and Sun Coke Energy want to build a new coke oven why don’t they use ground on AK property like maybe where the #2 Open Hearth was.Looks to me like there is alot of room on AK property for this plant.
By mee also
March 12, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
This is wonderful that AK wants to add jobs in the area, as far as the realestate going down don’t you think its aready being hit hard. As far as for Monroe, you are not the big city yet, you keep wanting to turn down all these companies to come into your city and they go elswhere. Your actions remind me of Springboro, they turn down everything but a Pizza shop or a Bank. You need to wake up and leave other City alone, if they want to put something in their town then they should able to.
By jim
March 12, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
one person said good paying wage’s yes indeed. non-union at the lowest wage possible. as far as location, how about at the ak steel site all you have to do is demo some of the old building no longer in use(location, location). this will kill garden manor for do you believe people would like to put their loved one in a home next to an industrial health hazard. sounds like a pretty good trade open one business kill another. good day
By Not A Happy Camper
March 9, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
To Jason, Stop our complaining, do you live in the area that is being proposed, I don’t think so. How can you even dare to say that we are complaining? I feel, we as the people being affected by this are sticking up for what believe in and what is right. SunCoke building in our family’s backyards is not just morally wrong to the people living there but to also the residents that do not have a voice such as the wildlife and family pets.
By Jason
March 8, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
I think it would be good to have more jobs in the cincinnati and dayton area. Yes there might be some down sides to what Ak steel and Sun Coke is offing. But people, stop your conplaining, be happy that Ak Steel wants to operate in Middletown, Ohio. Thats more good paying jobs for everone to work.
By Concerned
March 8, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Businesses like AK and Sunoco have the money and the means to do whatever they want. After the long fiasco concerning the pollution of Dick’s Creek, why would they want to put more risk behind the elementary school again? There is plenty of room east of Yankee Road and north of Todhunter Road that is available. Think about the children and long time residents for a change, instead of the bottom line. We have to live here around this stuff.
By Been There Done That
March 7, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Look out school districts. Do you hear that big sucking sound? The company will make a profit and you will not get any taxes.
‘Ament said the state “aggressively pursues opportunities for growth” and stands ready to assist the city and the companies with the project, possibly including tax incentives, she said.’
She’s right, the state will stick it to the community as well.
By JB
March 7, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this
Dear residents of Middletown
I live next to the plant that SunCoke operates in Haverhill Ohio. This plant will not be a nice neighbor. The citizens of Middletown should fight to stop this plant from being built.
By scrap
March 7, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
I agree I think they will do whatever they want. I also hate to see more people lose their homes because they decide to lock even more employees out of work.
By yelomoon
March 7, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
well, I think Ak will do what ever they want no matter what. They have already proved that. I think it will be an enviromental mess for Middletown citizens. And the employees at the new plant will probably be low wage and full of scars. Im just glad I dont live in Middletown.
By Wood Shoe Lou
March 6, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this
Worker: Old-timers tell me that AK needs the coke oven gas and other by-products from the old Krupp battery for process reasons in other areas of the plant. If that is true, AK would probably continue to operate it as long as the EPA allows.
By Worker
March 6, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
This sounds like it may be something good for Middletown and the job opprtunitys it would create. But my concern is for the people that currently work at the Middletown coke plant. What would it do to there jobs. That is one of the oldest coke producing ovens around. If this is a ouside company and outside people I dont see any oppurtunitys for AK current employees at this facilty. That would be a concern for those people and there jobs.
By Wood Shoe Lou
March 6, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
We should remain open to this opportunity until we learn more of the details. This new technology eliminates “top charging” of coal. (Coal is charged from the pusher side.) That alone is HUGE from environmental, health, and safety viewpoints.
By Kathy Korge Albergate
March 6, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
The plant would be a boost to Middletown’s economy. If we want this city to be vibrant again we need to encourage economic growth. While AK and Coke would be a good partnering arrangement Middletown needs to continue to look for ways to bring jobs/businesses to the city. Middletown needs to think outside their own backyard and plan for the kids of Middletown future. Where will they work? Will they all leave because there is no future for them in the city? Give Middletown a chance to grow.
By mee
March 6, 2008 7:28 AM | Link to this
I think it is a wonderful idea. I think the Federal Government has no right to regulate private enterprise. I think the EPA should waive any and all enviormental standards regarding the production of COKE. I think all AK top management people are entitled to million dollar stock options. I think the COKE plant should be build in Dean Prushing’s back yard.