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From Our R eaders
We encourage the community to attend the upcoming meetings concerning the building of a “green” ammonia fertilizer plant 1.5 miles west of Hartington.
Meetings are slated for 5:30 p.m., Jan. 14, for zoning and then a 5 p.m. City Council meeting, Jan. 26, both at the city hall.
In a previous article in the Cedar County News it was stated ammonia is lighter than air and if there was a spill, it would rise and quickly and dissipate. In reality the leaked ammonia would form a cloud that is denser than air. Temperature, humidity and weather conditions could increase the risk of Hartington being affected by a ground hugging cloud.
To put it into perspective, the Dakar ammonia disaster released 22 tons of liquid ammonia from a rupture of a tank. One hundred twenty nine people were killed and over a thousand were injured within five miles of the disaster.
This plant is projecting 20 tons of ammonia produced per day with planned storage capable of holding over 200 tons of liquid ammonia. The proposed plant is within two miles of our sports complex, park and numerous homes and businesses.
Safety controls can be promised and risk minimized, but the company still can’t guarantee that an accident will not happen.
These types of accidents may be more common than people think. This past November, Hastings experienced an ammonia leak that took several hours to control. As the equipment ages, the likelihood of a breach increases. We are making a decision that affects future generations.
Changing zoning to accommodate the structure sets a precedent that agricultural land can be converted into chemical manufacturing without proper scrutiny. Once their foot is in the door, there is also the risk of expansion.
Green ammonia facilities are not economically viable without federal subsidies, a fact that has been stated in published interviews by the C.E.O. and co-founder of Talus Ag.
What happens when subsidies expire or federal policy changes? The risks include abandoned facilities or sale to unknown operators.
The primary benefactor of the facility will be the developer. Local residents need to be well informed so they can weigh the risks along with the benefits. Please consider attending the meetings to learn more and voice concerns.
— Raleigh and Christie Burbach, Hartington
