03-13-85 Public Works Committee - Laserfiche WebLink

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Page 2. Public Works Committee stated Commissioner Jasinski/that residents have complained to him about the fumes and smells and were told that there would be none when the plant was in operation. He was advised that the problem may be related to the scrubbers and that the plant should be operating at designed conditions by the end of April. Mr. Kuminez stated that for the past several weeks the smell has been coming in to his house and that his family needs pillows over their faces in order to sleep. Mr. Cribbs stated that Butler Engineering has been at the plant for three days looking at the equipment. They are experimenting with various additives . He conceded that he did not know what emissions were heavier than air and did not know how many months it would take to address the problem, however hoped that mechanical changes would significantly improve the odor but not remove it. A member of the public noted that Purdue University has done extensive research on ethanol plants and that they should be contacted. Mr.Cribbs stated that the solution must be "cost effective" . He stated that the plant is operating within their permit guidelines and that at the present time there is no known solution. Members of the public stated that the plant should be shut down and perhaps the solution would be found faster. Several voiced concern that New Energy "did not act in good faith". Several voiced concern that the odors are prevalent in their homes and businesses . Councilman Zakrzewski noted that a new technical committee was appointed by Mayor Parent to investigate, establish time tables and get specific answers to the odor problem. The Committee met yesterday and was organized on March 3rd. Some of the Committee members include: Dr. George Plain, St. Joseph County Health Officer, Mr. Paul Trost, Supervisor of Environmental Services for the St. Joseph County Health Department, John Leszczynski, City Engineer, Sylvester Gerschoffer, President of Rum Village and Councilman Thomas Zakrzewski. Mr. Mark Tenney-- of TenEch was also a consultant to the committee. Mr. Cribbs noted that the plant is operated seven days a week and designed for a 24-hour operation. Members of the public stated that a lot of County and City money was being used to develop recreational areas and activities and that they were being ruined by the odor. It was noted that 160 full time permanent employees work at the plant of which 140 were from South Bend. The public voiced concern that despite the employment numbers that the City would lose many more conventions and hundreds of citizens moving out of the City. Councilman Crone noted that she learned about the technical committee by reading about it in the newspaper. She questioned how Mr. Tenney was being paid and what legal authority the committee would actually have .