Residents raise concerns about Perdue's proposed Lancaster plant

York, PA –

Dean Burkholder doesn’t oppose or support a proposed soybean oil extraction facility that Perdue Grain Oil Seed wants to build next to his Lancaster County property.

The father of three comes from a farming background and understands that such a project could benefit local growers as another source in which to sell their crop.

“I have three kids and all I ask is that DEP protect my family,” Burkholder said.

The Marietta man joined about 20 other people from York and Lancaster counties who offered testimony regarding how the proposed facility and its emissions would affect local air quality.

Many residents are concerned that proposed facility could emit tons of pollutants that would foul the area’s air, said Mike Martin, chairman of the Hellam Township Board of Supervisors.

“From statements made by Perdue and the research we have seen, the proposed project does pose significant health risks to our community,” he said. “These risks would be from the hexane emitted by the proposed plant. Prevailing winds are from the north and northwest, which will blow emissions on to Hellam Township.”

Roughly 100 people filled the Hellam Fire Company Hall on Thursday evening either to offer testimony or listen to their neighbors.

Officials with the state’s Department of Environmental Protection will turn to the comments as the agency reviews Perdue’s two air quality plan approvals and one storage tank permit application, said Lisa Kasianowitz, a DEP spokeswoman.

The first air quality plan approval is tied to a proposed grain elevator that would discharge small amounts of emissions, such as carbon dioxide, hexane and nitrogen oxide, she said.

That elevator would handle, dry and store local soybeans.

The second air quality plan approval relates to the next phase of Perdue’s proposed project, which involves the construction of the soybean extraction facility.

That facility could discharge 245 tons in emissions each year, most of it hexane, Kasianowitz said.

However, only half of the hexane emitted would be in the compound’s form of a hazardous pollutant, said Julie DeYoung, a spokeswoman for Perdue Agribusiness.

The company plans to recover and recycle the majority of the hexane emissions for use in production, she said.

In addition, Perdue’s plans to minimize emissions involves the installation of a distillation/condensation/mineral oil scrubber, according to documents filed with the DEP.

During Thursday’s hearing, June Evans of Hellam Township called upon the DEP to ensure that Perdue installs appropriate and adequate air quality protection technology.

In the mid 1990s, Evans noticed that air around her home was becoming difficult to breathe.

An investigation uncovered that the source of the pollution was a manufacturer in Lancaster.

After a tour of that plant, officials with that company assured Evans that technology would be installed to control the pollution.

“Scrubbers were installed and the pollution has since diminished greatly,” she said.

To ascertain how hexane levels might affect air quality around the proposed plant, Perdue has retained experts in modeling and risk assessment, said Wayne Black, director of environmental management for Perdue AgriBusiness.

Those experts will conduct modeling which will taking into account meteorological data such as wind direction and temperature inversion, he said.

“We have over 50 years experience in operating these kinds of facilities,” Black said. “We’re not new to this game.”

What they said

Here’s a sampling of quotes from a few residents who attended Thursday’s hearing:

“We prefer our air, our coffee and our Oven Stuffer Roasters without a hexane aftertaste.” — Mike Martin, chairman of the Hellam Township Board of Supervisors.

“I want my family protected.” — Dean Burkholder.

“We don’t need any more crap in the air. We don’t need what we already have. We don’t want you here. We don’t want the plant here.” — Annette Logan of Hellam Township.

What is hexane?

Hexane, a compound used to extract oil from soybeans, can cause dizziness, nausea and headaches, according to the Department Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

Acute exposure may cause irritation to the eyes and throat.

Previous coverage

Residents ready to share opinions about proposed Perdue plans