Chemical companies focus of hearing

Two Western Pennsylvania chemical companies will be held to public scrutiny next week as they near the end of an eight-year process required by the federal Clean Air Act that combines dozens of operating permits into one.

The Allegheny County Health Department is inviting people to comment on Eastman Chemical Company in West Elizabeth on Tuesday and Neville Chemical Company on Neville Island on Wednesday. Both companies make chemicals used in adhesives, paints and plastics.

"The public hearings ensure that the community has input and they can voice whatever concerns or opinions they may have related to the sources in question," health department spokesman Guillermo Cole said.

Representatives from area environmental and resident groups, including Clean Water Action, the Group Against Smog and Pollution, Residents for a Clean & Healthy Mon Valley and the Neville Island Good Neighbor Committee, plan to speak at the hearings.  

"For both of the plants, the thing that we're mostly concerned about is the rate of emissions monitoring," said Suzie Brindle, a program coordinator with Clean Water Action. "We feel it should be more regular than what's currently stated in the permit."

Bill Hendon, the health, safety, environmental security and quality manager for Eastman Chemical, said the company has been working with the county to develop the permit for eight years and doesn't foresee any new requirements coming from the hearing.

"We don't expect any real surprises," Hendon said.

Neville Chemical Company did not immediately return calls requesting comment.

Allison M. Heinrichs can be reached at aheinrichs@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5607.

 

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