News Release 360

DEPARTMENT SEEKS COMMENTS ON
HOLCIM (U.S.) INC./GEOCYCLE LLC HAZARDOUS WASTE VARIANCE PETITION, RECOMMENDATION

Volume 36-360

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, June 18, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources invites the public to review and offer written comments on a variance petition that would give Holcim (U.S.) Inc./Geocycle LLC more flexibility in unloading hazardous waste from railcars.

The department is also seeking comments on the department's recommendation to the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission to approve the variance petition with conditions. This variance petition is the same as the variance the Commission approved for Holcim on Oct. 10, 2007, which expires Oct. 9, 2008.

The department will accept public comments on both documents until July 18, 2008. Please send written comments to Richard Hock, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176 or by e-mail to richard.hock@dnr.mo.gov or by fax to 573-526-5268.

During the 30-day public comment period, anyone can request a formal public hearing on the variance petition or the department's recommendation by writing to Hock. If no public hearing is requested, the Commission can decide on the matter no sooner than July 18, 2008.

Holcim is located at 14744 Highway 79 N. in Clarksville and operates a single, wet process cement kiln under a hazardous waste permit. The kiln produces approximately 4,000 tons of clinker per day. Clinker is the primary ingredient in Portland cement. Pulverized coal is the primary fuel used for the cement kiln; however, Holcim also uses a wide variety of liquid and solid hazardous waste-derived fuel as supplementary fuel. Holcim receives the hazardous waste by both truck and railcar. Holcim handles approximately 170 railcars per year.

The department received Holcim's petition for a variance from Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Regulation 10 CSR 25-7.264(3)(B)2 on April 21, 2008. According to state regulations, "The owner/operator shall unload hazardous waste from an incoming railcar within 72 hours of receipt of the shipment."

Since Holcim does not control the scheduling and routing of incoming railcars, it is not uncommon that cars aggregate off-site to meet the 72-hour offloading requirement. This means the railcars must be "staged" in a rail yard or siding where there are no special provisions for safety and spill response. Holcim would like to stage the railcars on their property, as opposed to railroad-owned property, and extend the time cars are on-site from a three-day maximum up to a 10-day maximum.

The department reviewed the variance petition and determined the request to be non-substantive. The department has recommended the Commission grant the variance petition with conditions. If the Commission agrees with the department's recommendation and approves the variance petition, Holcim would be allowed 10 days from receipt of a shipment to unload hazardous waste from incoming railcars. 

The variance petition and department's recommendation are available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/permits/notices.htm. Supporting documents are not available on the department's Web site due to their size. The public can review and copy the variance petition, department's recommendation and supporting documents at the Bowling Green Free Public Library, during normal business hours, or by appointment only at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Hazardous Waste Program, 1730 E. Elm St., Jefferson City.

You may call or write the department at any time to request to have your name placed on Holcim's mailing list. By doing this, you will receive notice from the department or Holcim on any major permitting activities at the facility.

For more information, or to obtain a written copy of the documents for review, please contact Hock by telephone at 573-751-3553 or 800-361-4827. Hearing-impaired people may reach Hock through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

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

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