Distance matters when it comes to ammonia plant

Letters from our R eaders Distance matters when it comes to ammonia plant

As the debate over the proposed Talus Renewables ammonia plant on the former CKPPD site intensifies, we must address a critical discrepancy in the developer’s narrative.

Throughout this process, the site has been repeatedly described as being “1.5 miles west of town.” For those of us living in rural Cedar County, we know the math doesn’t add up.

In reality, this proposed Heavy Industrial (I-2) “spot zone” sits a mere 0.8 miles from Hartington’s schools and even closer—approximately 0.6 miles—to our nursing home. This is not a minor error; it is a material misrepresentation of the safety buffer provided to our most vulnerable citizens.

While the city of Hartington holds the zoning authority, the risks do not stop at the city limits. Prevailing winds do not respect jurisdictional lines. If a leak occurs within the 200 tons of planned liquid ammonia storage, a distance of 0.6 miles offers virtually no protection for the elderly or for children on a playground.

Furthermore, Section 8.06 of Hartington’s own Zoning Ordinance prohibits the emission of toxic gases that are detectable beyond the property line.

How can the city approve a facility that, by its very nature, creates a hazard zone far exceeding its 4-acre boundary?

Additionally, this project threatens our shared resources. Industry standards for a 20-ton daily production rate suggest a draw of 10,000 to 14,000 gallons of water daily—a massive drain on an aquifer that our private wells and agricultural livelihoods depend on.

When a governing body moves forward based on inaccurate geography and unproven safety claims, it isn’t “development”—it is negligence.

I urge the City Council to listen to the 550-plus residents who have signed a petition and deny this rezone.

— Michael Noga, Hartington