News Release No. 517

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ORDERS RES
TO STOP EMITTING ODOR, SUSPENDS AIR PERMIT

Volume 33-517

Contact: Connie Patterson

(For immediate release)

573-751-1010

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, DEC. 29, 2005 -- Following Gov. Blunt's directive, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources today ordered Renewable Environmental Solutions Inc. to stop all odorous emissions from its operations and suspended the facility's air permit for 60 days. The department will refer the case to the Attorney General's Office this week.

Gov. Blunt yesterday directed the agency to temporarily close the Carthage business for violating air quality rules. The Department of Natural Resources has cited RES six times this year for violations of Missouri state air quality rules.

"No one wants this to continue as it is," said DNR Director Doyle Childers. "RES has got to get this under control. We are trying to get them into compliance with Missouri air quality rules. While the state is not prone to rash action in shutting a company down, we have got to do something to improve the quality of life for citizens in the Carthage area."

The Department of Natural Resources had hoped that cooler weather and control measures implemented by RES would decrease the odors. Unfortunately, that has not been the case, according to Childers. Department officials will work with the company to see what additional measures must be in place before spring, when the odors are expected to increase, due to warmer weather.

A copy of today's order is available at www.dnr.mo.gov/resorder.pdf. For department news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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