power plant aggregate info 9 28 08
DESCRIPTION
Pre- In-Town ReportPower Plant / Aggregate Info 9 28 08TRANSCRIPT
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From day one I’ve been againstFrom day one I’ve been againstthis,this,I think this has been done the I think this has been done the wrong way.wrong way.
When Massachussetts is trying toWhen Massachussetts is trying tobecome the greenest state andbecome the greenest state andwe’ve passed we’ve passed legislation to make that happen.legislation to make that happen.
I think we’re just going in I think we’re just going in the wrong directionthe wrong direction
Secratary Bowles, he knows mySecratary Bowles, he knows mythoughts I’ve shared them withthoughts I’ve shared them withhim directly. I think he should puthim directly. I think he should putthe brakes on all of these the brakes on all of these
right now.right now.
Tom GoldenTom GoldenState Representative(Chelmsford/Lowell)
On paper it looks like a greatOn paper it looks like a greatidea...idea...
But this company with all dueBut this company with all duerespect hasn’t been exactly arespect hasn’t been exactly amodel corperate citizen,model corperate citizen,they’ve got a pretty lenghthythey’ve got a pretty lenghthytrack record.track record.
Anyone with an internet Anyone with an internet connection can find that outconnection can find that outin about five minutes.in about five minutes.
Eric DahlbergEric DahlbergChelmsford SelectmanChelmsford Selectman
Please share with your friends, family, and neighbors.
www.BillericaPowerPlant.orgwww.BillericaPowerPlant.org22 September 2008
The Energy Facilities Siting Board has rescheduled the upcoming hearing for the Billericapower plant to October 2 October 2 in Boston. This may be the last opportunity to express your con-cerns to Secretary Ian Bowles and the Siting Board about the plant proposal. Whether youhave sent a letter already or not, please use this chance to speak out by sending an e-mail.Feel free to send your own thoughts, or cut and paste the following text:
As a resident, registered voter, and taxpayer in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, I oppose theproposed siting of the Billerica power plant. As a matter of public health and safety, and out of con-cern for the environment, I strongly urge you to not approve the proposal.
Your Name, Your Town
Address the e-mail to Secretary Ian Bowles, [email protected]. Please take just a momentto weigh in on this issue.
Representative Tom Golden of Chelmsford appeared on the local cable access program Politi-cally Incorrect with Tom Christiano. He discussed the proposed Billerica power plant and ex-pressed his continued concern for his constituents. Representative Golden was invited to theEFSB hearing on October 2, and will take the opportunity to reiterate his concerns directly to
the Siting Board. Click here to view the video segment.
For those following the L’Energia power plant in Lowell, the comment period regarding con-cerns with the proposed plan to hook-up to the Lowell sewer system has been extended.Concerns with the LRWU’s ability to catch contaminants that may be discharged from theplant and ultimately released into the Merrimack River should be expressed. An easy-to-use e-mail form is available by clicking here. You do not need to be a Lowell residentto express your views.The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) offers e-mail notifications of regulationchanges, public hearings, and comment opportunities. You can sign up for the DEP up-dates by clicking here.
News fromNews from
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Chelmsford State Representative and State Senator candidates will be debating on October 16 atthe Chelmsford Police Station, sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Fargo/Martinez,Atkins/McClure & Arciero/Avella have been invited. The debate will be televised. If have suggestedquestions regarding a candidate’s stand on the power plant, please send them [email protected] and we will forward them to the screening people.
An article this week covered the New England Governor’s meeting with Canadian energy offi-cials. The article underscored the fact that the existing power delivery infrastructure impedesour ability to utilize energy that is already being produced in other locations, often by non-fossil fuel burning means.
Meetings/Events
Thursday, October 2, 2008* 1:00PM Energy Facilities Siting BoardThe EFSB will hold a meeting and hear comments from legal interveners and invited State Senators and Representatives. One South Station, Boston, MA
Wednesday, October 22, 2008** 7:00PM Billerica Conservation CommissionThe Billerica Conservation Commission will continue its discussion of the Notice of Intentfiled by the developer and the review of the wetlands and stormwater management issues.Billerica Town Hall, 365 Boston Road, Billerica, MA
*Note date change from September 25th.
**Note date change from September 24th.
PressClick on the News tab to access recent articles.
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Chelmsford awaits results of air-quality tests at plant
By Rita Savard, [email protected] Last Updated: 09/23/2008
CHELMSFORD -- A public hearing to grant Aggregate Industries Inc. a license to store morehazardous materials is less than a week away, but town officials are still waiting on test re-sults to help shed light on a mysterious black soot blanketing a section of Route 110.
"We want to make sure the town has enough time to adequately review the results before wemake our decision," said Selectmen Chairman Philip Eliopoulos.
After reaching a pollution settlement with the state, asphalt manufacturer Aggregate is seek-ing to upgrade its Chelmsford plant and double the current storage capacity. But residentsand businesses along Littleton Road have pleaded with town officials to look into whether theOak Street plant is in compliance with state environmental laws.
Alleging that smoke rising from Aggregate is causing illnesses and coating homesand businesses with a fine black powder, nearly two-dozen residents have formedChelmsford Advocates for a Safe Environment (CASE) to oppose increasing storage at theplant.
CASE has qualified for free legal representation through the Boston-based nonprofit agencyAlternatives for Community and Environment.
Representatives for Aggregate say allegations made by CASE are completely false, and thatthere is no evidence to back the group's claims. Jeff Ciampa, a production manager at Aggregate, has said the plume rising from the smoke stack is actually steam, notsmoke.
Selectmen are waiting on air-quality test results to determine if that plume is emitting toxinsthat could pose serious health threats. Aggregate was ordered to conduct an up-to-date air-
quality test that was estimated to cost the company $10,000 to $15,000.
Representatives at Aggregate were unable to provide any information on test results yester-day.
The Saugus-based construction-material supplier is seeking a license to install new storagetanks at the Chelmsford site and replace the five existing tanks with seven new units. Someof the tanks hold liquid asphalt, while others are used to store emulsion, heating oil or refinedspecification oil, which is a product derived from waste oil.
The new tanks would more than double the capacity of the company's 20-year-old tank from70,000 gallons to 170,000 gallons. Even though Aggregate has vowed not to increase pro-ductivity, residents are skeptical, saying more storage will ultimately result in more produc-tion.
Ciampa has said that installing new tanks would require less energy because they would bebetter insulated -- a change that would ensure a cleaner and more efficient operation.
Bruce Hamblett, owner of Ideal Auto Body at 295 Littleton Road, said he's not sure wherethe black soot is coming from, but that "it's on everything."
"It gets all over customers' cars, so sometimes we have to wash them more than once," saidHamblett. "It would be nice if (town officials) could find out where it's coming from and dosomething to help stop it."
Several residents living in the nearby Chelmsford Mobile Home Park also have complained ofa heavy sulfur smell allegedly caused by the plant.
In April, Aggregate was fined $587,000 by the DEP and ordered to step up compliance withenvironmental laws to settle Clean Air Act violations alleged at 10 of its 28 facilities in Massa-chusetts.
Since then, representatives for Aggregate said the company has been aggressive in takingaction to fall in line with all of the state's environmental requirements.
Before selectmen take their position, some members have said they expect answerson where the black soot is coming from.
"I don't think it's an unreasonable question," Selectman Clare Jeannotte has said."Somebody ought to provide an answer to the residents of this town as to what thisdust is."
The public hearing will be continued next Monday(9/29) in the Board of Selectmen meetingroom at Town Offices, 50 Billerica Road.
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Ashland to fine Aggregate Ashland to fine Aggregate over dustover dustBy David McLaughlin / News Staff Writer
Nov 11, 2007 Milford —ASHLAND -- The town is planning to slap Aggregate Industries with a fine after gray dust blew off its after gray dust blew off its property and blanketed a stretch of land around the state park.property and blanketed a stretch of land around the state park.
Conservation Commission agent E.A. Wells said yesterday his office would fine the Spring Street company,which makes asphalt and crushed stonewhich makes asphalt and crushed stone,, for the environmental mishap. Material from sand or silt piles onthe Aggregate's property left a thick layer of gray powder on land at the southern end of the Ashland Reservoir.
A fine of up to $300 a day could be levied against the company, but Wells said it would probably not be that high.The size of the fine would be decided by commission members, he said. Chairman Gene Crouch could not bereached for comment yesterday about the fine."It's something we've worked with them on and hoped we had resolved it, but obviously it isn't," Wells said.
According to the enforcement order issued by the commission, Aggregate Industries violated state and locallaws protecting wetland areas. The order also requires the company to immediately control the dust blowingfrom the site and meet with the commission Feb. 9.
A spokesman for Aggregate yesterday declined comment about the town's fine. John Lavin, an estates managerfor the company, said it put an encrusting agent on all the materials on the property to prevent them from get-ting airborne. The company also uses a sprinkler system, he said."We did it immediately until we can find out what's going on," Lavin said. "We want to do the right thing."
The Board of Health also investigated the gray powder, but it was not clear if it too would fine the company.Health agent Mark Oram could not be reached for comment yesterday nor could the board's chairman.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Environmental Protection is leaving the investigation to local officials."They have the enforcement tools to follow up on this," said Joe Ferson, a program coordinator for the depart-ment.
Wells said Aggregate has been cooperative. The Conservation Commission has met with the company beforeabout the dust problem.
It was not clear whether the commission would force Aggregate to clean up the dust that has covered the stateland. Wells said that would be "exceptionally difficult" and what's more important is that it does not happenagain, he said.As for possible environmental damage, Wells said it could be "very significant."
"In combination with other types of fill, from this source or other sources, it leads to the detriment of the wet-land habitat," he said.
(David McLaughlin can be reached at 508-626-4338 or at [email protected].)
****************************************************************There also are a number of fugitive dust sources associated with batch mix There also are a number of fugitive dust sources associated with batch mix HMAHMAplants, including vehicular traffic generating fugitive dust on paved and unpavedplants, including vehicular traffic generating fugitive dust on paved and unpavedroads, aggregate material handling, and other aggregate processing operations. roads, aggregate material handling, and other aggregate processing operations.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Taken from the EPA’s Hot Mix Asphalt PlantsHot Mix Asphalt Plants Emission Assessment Report
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/chief/ap42/ch11/related/ea-report.pdf
Thank you to Thank you to Tom FallTom Fall(Town Meeting Rep Precinct 7)(Town Meeting Rep Precinct 7)for the following link and information...for the following link and information...
http://www.ownyourair.org/Idling Vehicles: What's the Problem?
When you idle your vehicle, you pollute the air, and waste fuel and money. Vehicle emissions are toxic.
The air pollution that idling vehicles create has been found to:aggravate asthma, leading to more frequent and severe asthma attacksincrease the number of respiratory infectionsaggravate and induce allergiesincrease school absencesincrease emergency room visits and hospital admissions
cause premature deaths.
**********************************************************************************************************************************Massachusetts Anti-Idling lawMassachusetts Anti-Idling law
http://www.ci.somerville.ma.us/CoS_Content/documents/Idling%20Reduction%20-%20FAQs.pdf
The goal of the Massachusetts Anti-Idling law is to improve air quality by reducing unnecessary air pollution from idling vehicles. The law limits unnecessary engine idling to five minutes.
Who would I complain to if I see a vehicle idling unnecessarily? The best place to start is your local Board of Health. Other possibilities include local police, DEP or the EPA. Enforcement personnel cannot respond to every complaint about idling vehicles, and there are instances when it is not obvious why a vehicle needs to idle longer than five minutes.
But many of the complaints about excessive idling are about the same vehicles in the same locations routinely left idling, many times out of habit. For people living or working near those vehicles the exhaust that they are subjected to is not just a nuisance, it’s a real health problem.
Do the Anti-idling law and regulation apply to all vehicles? The law and regulation apply to all motor vehicles. All motor vehicles contribute to air pollution and can create a nuisance if the exhaust is affecting others.
http://articles.directorym.net/Anti_idling_Tip_Sheet_Chelmsford_MA-r914394-Chelmsford_MA.html
Begin forwarded message:
From: John Wojcik<[email protected]>Date: September 24, 20087:45:56 PM EDTTo:[email protected],Roy Earley<[email protected]>Cc: Debbie Dery <[email protected]>,chris-
tine<[email protected]>, Philip Eliopoulos <[email protected]>, Clare Jeannotte<[email protected]>, "Eric R. Dahlberg" <[email protected]>, Pat Wojtas <[email protected]>, BillDalton <[email protected]>, Robert Andrews <[email protected]>, Jocelyn Demuth <[email protected]>, Barb Be-langer <[email protected]>, Barbara Bunn <[email protected]>, [email protected], Mary Tiano<[email protected]>, Rachel Harvey <[email protected]>, Jim Pinder <[email protected]>, [email protected],Christina Ingallina <[email protected]>, Matthew Cilento <[email protected]>, Matt Hanson<[email protected]>, Jim Lane <[email protected]>, Fred Marcks <[email protected]>, Jodi O'Neill<[email protected]>, Kathy Duffett <[email protected]>, Deirdre Connolly <[email protected]>, MikeRigney<[email protected]>, Mike Combs <[email protected]>, Alex Buck <[email protected]>, Joanne Anderson <[email protected]>, KenleyFreeman <[email protected]>, Tom & Linda Fall <[email protected]>, Laurie Myers <[email protected]>, Roland VanLiew <[email protected]>, Colleen Stansfield <[email protected]>, Paul Cohen<[email protected]>
Subject: TK Trucking trucks breaking the law all day long
I have been home the past couple of days and have noticed that quite a few trucks do not pulltheir canopy's all the way over the bed of their trucks.Although I do not have time to stand at the road and take pictures all day, it only took me amatter of minutes before I got some great pictures of TK Trucking trucks with the tarps sus-pended at least two feet over the sides of the bed of the trucks.You can clearly see the material inside and the tarps do not come close to hitting the material,nevermind the sides of the bed.
Just another one of those worthless, unenforceable laws that are on the books??????
If "I" see this all day long, and Aggregate states that they do not allow trucks to leave the siteif they are breaking any sort of local or state laws, is this just another case of Aggregate'spromises which they will never keep or enforce?
For all of you who work for the Town of Chelmsford, or who were voted in by the people ofChelmsford, who is going to enforce these violations when truck traffic increases? They arecertainly not being taken care of as of late.And I say this with a very stearn tone to my voice!
If Aggregate is allowed to increase productivity in any way, shape, or form, safety issues willhave to be made a priority and not overlooked.Not just safety at the facility, safety throughout the town with anything Aggregate facility re-lated.And I am not talking about those "empty Promises" made just to get an issue passed. Roadconditions need to improve, policing of trucks with safety violations needs to improve, enforc-ing speed limits, use of jake brake, pollution, ect, ect, ect.
I state these issues because I care about this townI have lived here in the same spot for 45 years.I own three pieces of property in Chelmsford.My plans were to retire here.
If anyone wants to see a picture, I can e-mail one to you upon request.I will have some photos printed for the BOS meeting on the 29th. ( this week taking picturesof violations is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel :)
Take care and have a good night.
John Wojcik
P.S.What happens if an oil spill occurs along the route to the plant?What are the emergency plans if a truck overturns on 110 into or around the wetlands area?All of 110 from the center of town to the plant is basically wetlands area.Will we have to wait for the city of Lowell to come and take care of the enviromental mess? I bring this up because it is a very good question we have not yet touched on and it is beg-ging for an answer.
VIDEO LINKVIDEO LINK-Peggy Dunn (Town Meeting Rep Pct. 1) speaks about truck troublesPeggy Dunn (Town Meeting Rep Pct. 1) speaks about truck troubles- Chelmsford Board of Selectmen (Aggregate Industries) 8-11-08 -- Chelmsford Board of Selectmen (Aggregate Industries) 8-11-08 -
Eric Dahlberg and Rachel Harvey discuss Eric Dahlberg and Rachel Harvey discuss the proposed Aggregate expansion the proposed Aggregate expansion on Tom Christiano’s local cable showon Tom Christiano’s local cable show
Politically IncorrectPolitically Incorrect
VVVViiiiddddeeeeoooo LLLLiiiinnnnkkkk to Aggregate segmentto Aggregate segment
VVVViiiiddddeeeeoooo LLLLiiiinnnnkkkk to the entire show for Sept.16thto the entire show for Sept.16th((Topics include proposed Billerica Power Plant,Aggregate expansion,Topics include proposed Billerica Power Plant,Aggregate expansion,
Tax Classification,Eric Dahlberg’s first 6 months,Tax Classification,Eric Dahlberg’s first 6 months,Matt Hanson’s run for Selectmen,Casinos,Matt Hanson’s run for Selectmen,Casinos,
National Elections and moreNational Elections and more))
POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Tues & Weds 8:30 PM; POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Tues & Weds 8:30 PM; Thurs 7:00 AM; Sundays 11:00 AMThurs 7:00 AM; Sundays 11:00 AMChelmsford Cable TV Channel 8Chelmsford Cable TV Channel 8
http://www.besafenet.com/Asphalt.htm
Asphalt Plant PollutionAsphalt Plant Pollution
Asphalt plants mix gravel and sand with crude oil derivatives to makeAsphalt plants mix gravel and sand with crude oil derivatives to makethe asphalt used to pave roads, highways, and parking lots across thethe asphalt used to pave roads, highways, and parking lots across theU.S. These plants release millions of pounds of chemicals to the airU.S. These plants release millions of pounds of chemicals to the airduring production each year, including many cancer-causing toxic airduring production each year, including many cancer-causing toxic airpollutants such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and cadmium. pollutants such as arsenic, benzene, formaldehyde, and cadmium.
Other toxic chemicals are released into the air as the asphalt is loadedOther toxic chemicals are released into the air as the asphalt is loadedinto trucks and hauled from the plant site, including volatile organicinto trucks and hauled from the plant site, including volatile organiccompounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and very finecompounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and very finecondensed particulates.[EPAcondensed particulates.[EPA
Asphalt Fumes are Known Toxins. The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)states "Asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilities"Asphalt processing and asphalt roofing manufacturing facilitiesare major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde,are major sources of hazardous air pollutants such as formaldehyde,hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene. hexane, phenol, polycyclic organic matter, and toluene.
Exposure to these air toxics may cause cancer, central nervous systemExposure to these air toxics may cause cancer, central nervous systemproblems, liver damage, respiratory problems and skin irritation." [EPA].problems, liver damage, respiratory problems and skin irritation." [EPA].According to one health agency, asphalt fumes contain substancesAccording to one health agency, asphalt fumes contain substancesknown to cause cancer, can cause coughing, wheezing or shortness ofknown to cause cancer, can cause coughing, wheezing or shortness ofbreath, severe irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.breath, severe irritation of the skin, headaches, dizziness, and nausea.[NJDHSS] Animal studies show PAHs affect reproduction, cause birth[NJDHSS] Animal studies show PAHs affect reproduction, cause birthdefects and are harmful to the immune system. [NJDHSS] The US Dedefects and are harmful to the immune system. [NJDHSS] The US De--partment of Health and Human Services has determined that PAHs maypartment of Health and Human Services has determined that PAHs maybe carcinogenic to humans. [DHHS]be carcinogenic to humans. [DHHS]
Health Impacts & Loss of Property Value. The Blue Ridge Environmental DefenseLeague (BREDL), a regional environmental organization, has done two studies on theadverse impacts on property values and health for residents living near asphalt plants.A property value study documented losses of up to 56% because of the presence of anearby asphalt plant. In another study, nearly half of the residents reported negativeimpacts on their health from a new asphalt plant. The door-to-door health survey found 45% of residents living within aThe door-to-door health survey found 45% of residents living within ahalf mile of the plant reported a deterioration of their health, whichhalf mile of the plant reported a deterioration of their health, whichbegan after the plant opened. The most frequent health problems citedbegan after the plant opened. The most frequent health problems citedwere high blood pressure (18% of people surveyed), sinus problemswere high blood pressure (18% of people surveyed), sinus problems(18%), headaches (14%), and shortness of breath (9%). [BREDL](18%), headaches (14%), and shortness of breath (9%). [BREDL]Flawed Tests Underestimate Health Risks.Flawed Tests Underestimate Health Risks. In addition to smokestack emis-
sions, large amounts of harmful "fugitive emissions" are released as the asphalt ismoved around in trucks and conveyor belts, and is stored in stockpiles. A small asphalt plant producing 100 thousand tons of asphalt a yearA small asphalt plant producing 100 thousand tons of asphalt a yearmay release up to 50 tons of toxic fugitive emissions into the air. may release up to 50 tons of toxic fugitive emissions into the air. [Dr. R.Nadkarni] Stagnant air and local weather patterns often increase the level of exposureto local communities. In fact, most asphalt plants are not even tested forIn fact, most asphalt plants are not even tested fortoxic emissions. The amounts of these pollutants that are released fromtoxic emissions. The amounts of these pollutants that are released froma facility are estimated by computers and mathematical formulas rathera facility are estimated by computers and mathematical formulas ratherthan by actual stack testing, estimates that experts agree do not accuthan by actual stack testing, estimates that experts agree do not accu--rately predict the amount of toxic fugitive emissions released and therately predict the amount of toxic fugitive emissions released and therisks they pose.risks they pose. According to Dr. Luanne Williams, a North Carolina state toxicolo-gist, 40% of the toxins from asphalt plant smokestacks even meet air quality standardsand for the other 60% of these emissions, the state lacks sufficient data to determinesafe levels.
BE SAFE's FOUR PRINCIPLES
1. HEED EARLY WARNING SIGNS
There is documented evidence from health experts and federal and state regulators of the serious health effects of asphalt plant emissions. We must heed these early warning signs and take action to prevent communities from further exposure tocancer-causing substances released by asphalt plants. The following actions areneeded:Moratoriums on asphalt plant construction and operation in communitieswhere people live and go to school;Stricter testing and enforcement of airStricter testing and enforcement of airquality standards at asphalt plants; and Improved air standards that quality standards at asphalt plants; and Improved air standards that address all toxic contaminants including fugitive emissionsaddress all toxic contaminants including fugitive emissions
2. PUT SAFETY FIRST
Even if an asphalt plant meets all state and federal air pollution stanEven if an asphalt plant meets all state and federal air pollution stan--dards, people living nearby are still exposed to cancer-causing subdards, people living nearby are still exposed to cancer-causing sub--
stances that can cause long-term damage. stances that can cause long-term damage. These standards are based on theprinciple of "acceptable risk", and assume each state will enforce the standards, theplants will operate perfectly, and the owners can be trusted to operate on an honorsystem where they are expected to follow all the laws and regulations that apply totheir facility without any government oversight. In the majority of cases, it is unknownwhether the `theoretical' air emissions predicted by computer models and used by
plant owners accurately reflect air emissions from a plant's daily operations. We mustWe mustput safety first and shut down or overhaul the current system that failsput safety first and shut down or overhaul the current system that fails
to protect communities from the daily health hazards to protect communities from the daily health hazards of asphalt plant pollution.of asphalt plant pollution.
Federal regulations based on the "acceptable risk" model and self-regulating honorsystems are inadequate to protect public health. Many states rely on inadequateMany states rely on inadequatefederal standards that do not take into account local factors such asfederal standards that do not take into account local factors such ashow close an industrial facility is to homes and schools, local weatherhow close an industrial facility is to homes and schools, local weatherpatterns, and additional `nuisance' factors such as the effect acrid andpatterns, and additional `nuisance' factors such as the effect acrid andnauseating smells have on the quality of life in these communities.nauseating smells have on the quality of life in these communities.
3. EXERCISE DEMOCRACY
Organizations are working to improve federal and state standards and add asphaltplant fumes to the hazardous air pollutant (HAP) list under the federal Clean Air Act.Communities can take advantage of any state laws aimed at protectingCommunities can take advantage of any state laws aimed at protectinglocal values that allow counties to determine where new industrial facililocal values that allow counties to determine where new industrial facili --ties will be located. These communities can band together to work withties will be located. These communities can band together to work withtheir county governments to prevent new asphalt plants from being lotheir county governments to prevent new asphalt plants from being lo--cated in their neighborhoods and prevent existing plants from renewingcated in their neighborhoods and prevent existing plants from renewingtheir permits their permits until further evaluation until further evaluation of public health risks are conof public health risks are con--ducted.ducted.
ASPHALT PLANTS CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN: ASPHALT PLANTS CONTAMINANTS OF CONCERN: http://www.bredl.org/pdf/factsheet-asphaltplants.pdfhttp://www.bredl.org/pdf/factsheet-asphaltplants.pdf
Begin forwarded message:Begin forwarded message:From: Tom Christiano <[email protected]>From: Tom Christiano <[email protected]>Date: September 22, 2008 4:10:43 PM EDTDate: September 22, 2008 4:10:43 PM EDTSubject: Philip's comments on Aggregate & Test ResultsSubject: Philip's comments on Aggregate & Test Results
To try and clarify what's going on with the Aggregate situation, I just called PhilipTo try and clarify what's going on with the Aggregate situation, I just called PhilipEliopoulos. He answered my questions with the following information:Eliopoulos. He answered my questions with the following information:
* The Aggregate test results should be at the Town Office by Wednesday. Anyone in* The Aggregate test results should be at the Town Office by Wednesday. Anyone in--terested can go to the Town Office and read the results.terested can go to the Town Office and read the results.
* The test results will be reviewed and analyzed by the DEP, and the Town's L.E.P.* The test results will be reviewed and analyzed by the DEP, and the Town's L.E.P.(some sort of consultant for this matter).(some sort of consultant for this matter).
* There will be a public hearing on Aggregate Monday. The Selectmen are not going* There will be a public hearing on Aggregate Monday. The Selectmen are not goingto vote on this issue Monday night. They will allow public input Monday night, howto vote on this issue Monday night. They will allow public input Monday night, how--ever, they only want new public input. They don't want the same comments repeatedever, they only want new public input. They don't want the same comments repeatedagain and again.again and again.
* They will likely leave to Public Hearing open until the following (mid OCT) BOS* They will likely leave to Public Hearing open until the following (mid OCT) BOSmeeting.meeting.
* If we have an expert at interpreting the test results, please let Philip know, as we* If we have an expert at interpreting the test results, please let Philip know, as wecan then coordinate our efforts.can then coordinate our efforts.
* I will copy this summary and email it to Philip to insure I have all of this correct. If* I will copy this summary and email it to Philip to insure I have all of this correct. Ifnot, Philip will hopefully let me know, and I'll then let you know.not, Philip will hopefully let me know, and I'll then let you know.
Cheers,Cheers,TomTom
CHRISTIANO PRODUCTIONS:CHRISTIANO PRODUCTIONS:POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Tues & Weds 8:30 PM; POLITICALLY INCORRECT: Tues & Weds 8:30 PM;
Thurs 7:00 AM; Sundays 11:00 AMThurs 7:00 AM; Sundays 11:00 AMREEL TALK: Thursdays 8:00 PM and Saturdays 8:30 PMREEL TALK: Thursdays 8:00 PM and Saturdays 8:30 PMSPOTLIGHT ON CHELMSFORD: Various Times SPOTLIGHT ON CHELMSFORD: Various Times Chelmsford Cable TV Channel 8Chelmsford Cable TV Channel 8
Chelmsford air-quality tests are inChelmsford air-quality tests are inBy Rita Savard, [email protected] Last Updated: 09/27/2008
CHELMSFORD -- The plume rising from an Oak Street asphalt plant came underfire for allegedly blanketing Route 110 with soot and carcinogenic chemicals.
But results from an air-quality test made public yesterday tell a different story,said Jeff Ciampa, a production manager at Aggregate Industries, Inc. Accordingto a series of tests conducted by the Canton-based CK Environmental Inc., Ag-gregate is operating in compliance with state environmental laws.
Three one-hour tests were performed on the plant's 57-foot smoke stack onSept. 9 and Sept. 10.
The findings were posted on the town's Web site yesterday, just a couple ofdays before the Board of Selectmen is scheduled to continue a public hearingon whether to grant the asphalt manufacturer a license to increase storage ofhazardous materials.
"We have a very aggressive maintenance program so we're not surprised by theresults," Ciampa said. The test confirms what we already know."
What began as a request to increase storage, turned into a public-health con-cern when several residents lobbied town officials for up-to-date environmentaland health reports on Aggregate. From truck traffic at 4 a.m. to the stench ofsulfur hanging over their homes, concerned residents feared the increasingstorage capacity would increase production.
In April, the asphalt manufacturer was fined $587,000 by the state and orderedto improve compliance with environmental laws to settle Clean Air Act violationsalleged at 10 of its 28 facilities in Massachusetts.
Alleged violations included burning specification waste oil with more sulfur thanthe applicable air-pollution control permit allowed at Aggregate's Chelmsfordplant in 2005.
The fine will be cut by $75,000 if Aggregate complies with the terms of the set-tlement, including the reduction of sulfur in the waste oil it burns. Since April,Ciampa said Aggregate has made changes inside and out, starting with its man-agement team.
Ciampa said Aggregate now meets "ISO 14,000," a strict international standardof environmental-management systems widely embraced by the EuropeanUnion, and designed to reduce the impact of a company's operations on water,air and land.
The Saugus-based Aggregate is seeking a license to install new storage tanksat the Chelmsford site, and replace its five existing tanks with seven new units.Some of the tanks hold liquid asphalt, while others are used to store emulsion,heating oil, or refined specification oil, which is a product derived from wasteoil.
The new tanks would more than double the capacity of the company's 20-year-old tank from, from 70,000 gallons to 170,000 gallons.
By replacing all of the company's existing horizontal tanks with vertical storageunits that use less energy and have more insulation, representatives for Aggre-gate say the Chelmsford site will become cleaner, safer and more environmen-tally friendly.
Selectmen said they will wait until it has additional information from the stateDepartment of Public Health before taking a vote.
Alleging that smoke rising from Aggregate is causing illnesses and coatinghomes and businesses with a fine black powder, nearly two-dozen residentsformed Chelmsford Advocates for a Safe Environment (CASE) to oppose in-creasing storage at the plant.
CASE has qualified for free legal representation through the Boston-based non-profit agency Alternatives for Community and Environment.
With air-quality test results in, one question remains: Where is the mysteriousblack soot coming from?
"There are a whole host of reasons in a suburban environment that can gener-ate what people are reporting as visible dust," Ciampa said. "I point out it's(Route 110) a state highway with an interstate highway immediately next to it.There are a lot of trucks passing through all the time that aren't coming to ourplant." To view the air quality test results, To view the air quality test results, visitvisit http://www.townofchelmsford.us/http://www.townofchelmsford.us/Selectmen will discuss the issue at their next meeting, Selectmen will discuss the issue at their next meeting, Monday night at 7, at Town Offices, 50 Billerica Road.Monday night at 7, at Town Offices, 50 Billerica Road.
The BOSTON GLOBEThe BOSTON GLOBE
Storage tank plans fuel health fearsStorage tank plans fuel health fearsNeighbors worry plant may expandNeighbors worry plant may expand
By Brenda J. BuoteGlobe Correspondent / September 28, 2008Neighbors of a construction materials supplier that is seeking permisNeighbors of a construction materials supplier that is seeking permis--sion to upgrade its Chelmsford asphalt plant are eagerly waiting forsion to upgrade its Chelmsford asphalt plant are eagerly waiting forlocal officials to decide the fate of the company's proposal to increaselocal officials to decide the fate of the company's proposal to increasestorage capacity at the Oak Street facility.storage capacity at the Oak Street facility.
The Chelmsford Board of Selectmen could take action on the applicationThe Chelmsford Board of Selectmen could take action on the applicationsubmitted by Saugus-based Aggregate Industries Northeast Region Inc.submitted by Saugus-based Aggregate Industries Northeast Region Inc.as early as tomorrow, when the board resumes its public hearing on theas early as tomorrow, when the board resumes its public hearing on therequest. The public hearing sessions first started in June.request. The public hearing sessions first started in June.
Aggregate Industries, which has 28 production facilities in MassachuAggregate Industries, which has 28 production facilities in Massachu--setts, wants permission to replace six old above-ground storage tankssetts, wants permission to replace six old above-ground storage tankswith seven new ones. Some of the tanks hold liquid asphalt, while otherswith seven new ones. Some of the tanks hold liquid asphalt, while othersare used to store emulsion, heating oil, or refined specification oil, aare used to store emulsion, heating oil, or refined specification oil, aproduct derived from waste oil. The new tanks would more than doubleproduct derived from waste oil. The new tanks would more than doublethe capacity of the plant's 20-year-old tank farm, from 70,000 gallons tothe capacity of the plant's 20-year-old tank farm, from 70,000 gallons to170,000 gallons.170,000 gallons.
According to Scott Colby, environmental and estates manager for AggreAccording to Scott Colby, environmental and estates manager for Aggre--gate Industries, the new tanks would require less energy and would begate Industries, the new tanks would require less energy and would bebetter insulated, changes that would result in a cleaner and more effibetter insulated, changes that would result in a cleaner and more effi --cient operation.cient operation.
However, neighbors have voiced concern that an increase in storage caHowever, neighbors have voiced concern that an increase in storage ca--pacity would make it possible for Aggregate Industries to boost producpacity would make it possible for Aggregate Industries to boost produc--tion at the Chelmsford plant and still remain within the facility's currenttion at the Chelmsford plant and still remain within the facility's currentlimits set by the state. The neighbors worry that more production couldlimits set by the state. The neighbors worry that more production couldcause health problems and possibly harm the environment.cause health problems and possibly harm the environment.
In August, at the last public hearing, neighbors of the plant said the faIn August, at the last public hearing, neighbors of the plant said the fa--cility is emitting a peculiar dust that is covering their homes and causcility is emitting a peculiar dust that is covering their homes and caus--ing health problems. However, company officials say the neighbors'ing health problems. However, company officials say the neighbors'claims are without merit, noting that the plant's smokestack emitsclaims are without merit, noting that the plant's smokestack emitssteam, not smoke.steam, not smoke.
But neighbors refuse to take company officials at their word, noting thatBut neighbors refuse to take company officials at their word, noting thatAggregate Industries in April agreed to pay as much as $587,000 in civilAggregate Industries in April agreed to pay as much as $587,000 in civilpenalties to settle Clean Air Act violations alleged at 10 of its Massachupenalties to settle Clean Air Act violations alleged at 10 of its Massachu--setts facilities, including the Chelmsford plant.setts facilities, including the Chelmsford plant.
"Their so-called steam changes color, and we firmly believe that the"Their so-called steam changes color, and we firmly believe that thesoot, or dust, that covers our homes - sometimes it's gray, other timessoot, or dust, that covers our homes - sometimes it's gray, other timesit's black - is being produced by that plant," said Rachel Harvey, 26, whoit's black - is being produced by that plant," said Rachel Harvey, 26, wholives in the mobile-home park directly across the street from the plant.lives in the mobile-home park directly across the street from the plant."And every time I go outside to document it, I come home coughing. It"And every time I go outside to document it, I come home coughing. Itmakes me wonder about the chemicals that plant is emitting."makes me wonder about the chemicals that plant is emitting."
The residents' concerns prompted the Board of Selectmen to ask AggreThe residents' concerns prompted the Board of Selectmen to ask Aggre--gate Industries to conduct air-quality tests. According to Colby, prelimigate Industries to conduct air-quality tests. According to Colby, prelimi--nary results show "the plant is certainly in compliance" withnary results show "the plant is certainly in compliance" with
state regulations for particulate emissions. The final test results are exstate regulations for particulate emissions. The final test results are ex--pected to be discussed tomorrow evening; the testing was conducted bypected to be discussed tomorrow evening; the testing was conducted byan independent engineering company.an independent engineering company.
Aggregate Industries had hoped to begin upgrades to the tank farm inAggregate Industries had hoped to begin upgrades to the tank farm inDecember, when the plant closes for the winter, and to have the newDecember, when the plant closes for the winter, and to have the newtanks installed by March 2009, but given the ongoing public hearingtanks installed by March 2009, but given the ongoing public hearingprocess, that construction schedule may not be realistic, said Tim Jones,process, that construction schedule may not be realistic, said Tim Jones,a senior permitting specialist with Aggregate Industries.a senior permitting specialist with Aggregate Industries.
"We won't know what the timetable will look like until after Monday's"We won't know what the timetable will look like until after Monday'smeeting," said Jones.meeting," said Jones.
Tomorrow's Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.Tomorrow's Board of Selectmen meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.in conference Room 204 at the town office building, 50 Billerica Road.in conference Room 204 at the town office building, 50 Billerica Road.© Copyright 2008 Globe Newspaper Company.
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LINKS LINKS To the companies that did the testing
http://www.etg-engineering.com/history/index.html
http://www.ckenvironmental.com/****************************************************************************
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TTOO BBEE CCOONNTTIINNUUEEDD ......
