| Newsroom: Press Release Archive: August 2003 |
ADEQ Requires New Emissions Monitoring Controls on Arizona Portland Cement CompanyPHOENIX (Aug. 29, 2003) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens said today that residents living near the Arizona Portland Cement Company in Rillito should soon begin to breathe easier as a result of a new, more stringent air quality permit issued by the department late yesterday. The new Title V permit consolidates several existing state air quality permits that have governed emissions limits on a wide range of operations at the plant since 1998. The new permit, which was developed with input from local community residents, significantly increases air quality monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements of the company's existing operations. "We have worked very closely with the Rillito community the past two months to resolve their concerns about pollution from the plant," Owens said. "The result is a permit that makes the plant much more accountable to its neighbors." Owens also noted that the company's initial proposal to expand the facility was denied. Any future expansion will require the company to undergo a rigorous new source review process, which would require the plant to upgrade its equipment with the best available pollution control technology, he said. Among the new permit requirements are the installation of cameras at the facility's fence line to continuously monitor visible emissions near the community of Rillito, the development of a more effective dust control plan, and additional testing for particulate matter and hazardous air pollutants. The company has 30 days to appeal the permit. ADEQ Supports "Keep Oak Creek Canyon Beautiful" ProgramPHOENIX (Aug. 28, 2003) -- Over the upcoming Labor Day weekend, volunteers from the Oak Creek Canyon Task Force and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality will help preserve Oak Creek Canyon, one of the state's natural treasures, through an anti-littering campaign. The anti-littering campaign, Keep Oak Creek Canyon Beautiful, is designed to educate canyon visitors about the environment. Volunteers at this weekend's kick off event will distribute free trash bags to those visiting the canyon Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. Task force officials noted that an increased number of visitors to the area have contributed to an increased amount of litter. Visitors are encouraged to help keep the creek clean by using onsite restroom facilities as well as properly dispose of animal waste and litter. While volunteers will be stationed along Oak Creek Canyon, Slide Rock, a particularly popular site, will be the focus of this weekend's campaign. Slide Rock, a stretch of the slippery creek bottom, is one of the best-known recreational sites in Oak Creek Canyon. Visitors slide down the slick natural water chute or wade and sun along the creek. The unique rock formations and striking red rock buttes near Slide Rock have provided the backdrop for several movies including "Broken Arrow" with James Stewart and "Angel and the Badman" with John Wayne. Officials from the task force say they plan to expand the program with future projects that will help preserve the integrity of the canyon's environment and water quality. For information on volunteering to help with the Oak Creek Canyon Task Force, contact Nelda McLaskey (928) 282-5696 or [email protected]. ADEQ Director Steve Owens Awards $1.2 Million for Arizona Recycling ProjectsPHOENIX (Aug. 20, 2003) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens today awarded $1.2 million in contracts to fund 13 recycling projects as part of the department's efforts to support and promote recycling in Arizona. This funding brings to $11.3 million the total amount ADEQ has awarded statewide to assist a variety of recycling, research and development, and public education projects since 1991. "In the past 11 years ADEQ has made great strides to improve recycling opportunities for Arizona citizens," Owens said. "These awards have provided the seed money to start many community recycling programs, and we continue to look for innovative ways to increase the volume and types of recyclable materials that can be diverted from landfills in our state." Owens cited Arizona's near doubling of curbside recycling collection programs - from 15 cities and towns in 1991 to 28 in 2002 - as evidence the program is having its intended effect. During the same time, the amount of materials recycled in Arizona has increased from 70,500 tons to 999,000 tons. In addition, many communities are now offering household hazardous waste and electronic recycling collection events to their residents, Owens said. ADEQ awards projects in three specific categories:
The 2004 recipients are: Waste Reduction Assistance Projects: Arizona State Parks, La Paz and Mohave Counties C&M Fiber, Mohave County City of Nogales, Santa Cruz County City of Surprise, Maricopa County City of Surprise, Maricopa County Gila County Solid Waste Pinal County Public Works Santa Cruz County Sedona Recycles, Yavapai County Research and Development Projects: Universal Entech, LLC, Maricopa County Waste Reduction Initiative Through Education Projects: DNA-People's Legal Services, Inc., Apache County Arizona State Parks, La Paz and Mohave County City of Suprise, Maricopa County EPA, ADEQ Fine Black Mesa Pipeline for Continued Coal Slurry Leaks PHOENIX (Aug. 14, 2003) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens and U.S. EPA today announced that Black Mesa Pipeline, Inc., has paid $55,000 in penalties associated with the most recent discharges from its coal slurry pipeline that runs across northern Arizona. "We are concerned about continued discharges from the pipeline, despite the efforts that Black Mesa appears to be taking to correct the pipeline's deficiencies," Owens said. "We will ensure the company continues to comply with the terms of the 2001 consent decree." The consent decree required Black Mesa to pay a $128,000 fine for seven discharges that occurred between 1997 and 1999, to clean up environmental damage caused by the spills and to take steps to prevent further discharges from pipeline. Those steps include conducting hydrostatic testing, ultrasonic surveying, implementing a corrosion monitoring program and replacing sections of the pipeline that do not meet minimum thickness requirements. To date the company has replaced nearly 11 miles of pipe and has completed testing and surveying of the 273-mile pipeline, which carries a watery mixture of coal from Kayenta, Ariz., to Laughlin, Nev., where it fuels the Mohave Generating Station, operated by Southern California Edison. Despite those efforts, the aging pipeline experienced eight additional discharges between September 2001 and August 2002, prompting the EPA and ADEQ to demand another $174,250 in January 2003, in accordance with the stipulated penalties clause in the consent decree. The company also has paid more than $575,000 to clean up areas affected by the discharges. The latest penalty demand for $55,000 is the result discharges that occurred on Dec. 31, 2002 and March 24, 2003. Complicating Black Mesa's modernization effort is the uncertain future of the Mohave Generating Station, which has been ordered by the EPA to upgrade its emission control equipment and comply with all air pollution control requirements on its first unit by Jan. 1, 2006 and on its second unit by April 1, 2006, or face closure. Black Mesa faces the expense of a costly modernization project, while the future of the generating station remains in doubt. "We recognize the uncertainty facing the company, given the situation at the Mohave Generating Station," said Owens. "But the company needs to prevent further discharges as long as it continues to operate the pipeline." Black Mesa Pipeline, Inc., which owns and operates the pipeline, is a subsidiary of Northern Border Partners, LP. ADEQ Director, Senior Staff to Speak at Annual Arizona Association of Industry SummitPHOENIX (Aug. 4, 2003) -- Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Director Steve Owens and other senior leaders from the department will discuss Arizona's environmental priorities at the annual Arizona Association of Industries Summit, August 13 - 15, at the Prescott Resort. The summit brings together industry professionals from across Arizona to discuss the state's environmental challenges and regulations. Thursday, Aug. 14, at 9 a.m., ADEQ Deputy Director Patrick Cunningham will moderate a panel that includes senior members of the department's Air Quality, Water Quality and Waste Programs divisions. They will discuss issues ranging from the state's efforts to comply with the new federal standard for arsenic to Governor Napolitano's recent recommendation to the EPA concerning boundaries for the 8-hour ozone non-attainment area in Maricopa County. At noon the same day, ADEQ Director Steve Owens will serve as the keynote lunch speaker. Owens, who has focused on improving the department's outreach efforts and establishing the governor's Children's Environmental Health Project, will discuss his priorities for the coming year. Open Burning Permits Help Reduce Regional Haze in Northeastern ArizonaPHOENIX (Aug. 4, 2003) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality is encouraging residents in northeastern Arizona to help reduce regional haze by following open burning permit guidelines. The state's air quality rules require a permit from ADEQ before starting a fire outdoors, as is often done in barrels, pits or piles to dispose of brush or other waste. Fires used for cooking, heating, recreation and branding or in orchard heaters do not require a permit. Open burning permits can be obtained through ADEQ or a delegated local permitting authority, and can be effective for up to one year. There are no fees associated with the application process, and applications are processed quickly. Open burning permits help protect Arizonans from smoke impacts and minimize regional haze. Presently, in Apache County, all open burning permits are currently issued by ADEQ. Those residing within the jurisdiction of the Holbrook, Lakeside, Linden, Taylor, Snowflake, and Winslow Fire Departments obtain open burning approval from these fire departments directly. Open burning permits for all other areas of Navajo County are issued through ADEQ. Burning of household waste is only allowable with a permit and in very rural areas where trash collection is not available. Local burning restrictions should be followed regardless of any open burning permit from ADEQ or delegated authority. Prior to commencing any permitted burning activities, the local fire authority must also be contacted. For more information, and to obtain a permit application form, please contact one of the delegated fire departments, Byron James, ADEQ Community Liaison for Northeastern Arizona, at (928) 337-3565, or ADEQ's Northern Regional Office in Flagstaff, toll-free, at (877) 602-3675. ADEQ's Daily Ozone Forecast Now Available by TelephonePHOENIX (Aug. 1, 2003) -- The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality's ozone forecast is now available to residents in Maricopa County by dialing (602) 771-2367. Updated Monday through Friday, the forecast will inform callers about the projected 8-hour ozone concentration forecast and its associated health impacts. It will also alert callers when an ozone health watch or warning has been issued. Officials say the telephone forecast represents an important tool for those who do not have access to the Internet, especially for those with health concerns who may need to take extra precautions to manage their exposure to ozone pollution. Ozone health watches advise sensitive groups, such as children, the elderly and those with respiratory illnesses, of days they should limit their outdoor activities because ozone concentrations are expected to exceed health-based standards for sensitive groups. Ozone health warnings advise Valley residents and employers to activate trip reduction plans, which include carpooling and telecommuting, on days when ozone concentrations are expected to exceed health-based standards for the average person. Residents who want more information about alternative forms of transportation, rideshare programs or who wish to receive electronic notification of Ozone Health Watches or Ozone Health Warnings when issued should call Valley Metro at (602) 262-Ride (7433) or visit http://www.ValleyMetro.org/ |
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