Swampland.com

Alabama's Going Green: A Delicate Balance

Yes, I read the article in the New York Times this past Monday about the biodiesel spill near Moundville, Alabama. And yes, I know that Black Warrior Riverkeeper has a lawsuit against Alabama Biodiesel asking that the plant be enjoined from dumping into the river and that the plant be required to file for a permit. I talked with Nelson Brooke, Executive Director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper, about the importance of developing alternative fuel sources while protecting the environment.

Brooke assured me that Black Warrior Riverkeeper is an enthusiastic supporter of biofuels. “Biofuel can be produced without polluting the environment, “Brooke said “Other plants in Alabama are creating biodiesel and they are not polluting the water. We are just asking Alabama Biodiesel to stop polluting.” (Photo is courtesy of Dana Mixer of the New York Times.)

Biofuel production is still an infant industry in Alabama. Apparently, as the industry is so new, the regulations have not kept up with the rapid strides in technology. ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Protection) does require that plants have a permit for dumping waste and that waste must not exceed the standards set by the EPA. This week I wrote both Alabama Biodiesel and the Public Affairs Department of ADEM to inquire about this situation. I have not yet heard from either agency.

Let me hasten to add that spills from biodiesel plants are nontoxic and biodegradable. However, non-regulated waste discharge can pose a threat to fish and wildlife. I hope that in the next few weeks and months that Swampland can provide a forum where these issues can be examined. Once again, I encourage your comments and suggestions. It is crucial that we maintain a balance between our important technological advances and our precious natural resources.

I encourage citizens of Alabama to respond before March 19 to a public hearing notice regarding the amendment of ADEM standards regarding carcinogens. The following is from the announcement from the ADEM:. “The Alabama Department of Environmental Management proposes to amend ADEM Administrative Code rule 335-6-10-.07 by adding a relative source contribution factor to the equations used to calculate human health criteria for non-carcinogenic pollutants, and includes the addition of the relative source contribution factors to Appendix A. Also, in response to a resolution adopted by the Environmental Management Commission, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management proposes to amend rule 335-6-10-.07 by changing the risk level used to calculate human health criteria for all carcinogens except arsenic. In addition, the text describing the factors used in Equations 16 and 17 and Equations 18 and 19 is being formatted to provide clarity. Also, the Department proposes to amend ADEM Administrative Code rule 335-6-11-.01 to clarify the Department's process for reviewing and making changes to assigned use classifications for any usage which has an associated degree of quality considered to be less than that applicable to the classification of ‘Fish and Wildlife.’” Those who are unable to attend the hearing may respond by writing to Hearing.officer@adem.state.al.us.

(This month’s photo art on RiverVue is by Elk River artist, and my dear friend, Faylee.) 

---Penne J. Laubenthal

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