Bluestone Coke: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Bluestone Coke aerial.png|right|thumb|450px|Bluestone Coke plant]] | |||
'''Bluestone Coke''', formerly the '''Sloss Industries Coke Plant''', '''Walter Coke''', and '''ERP Compliant Coke''', is a producer of metallurgical coke located at 3500 [[35th Avenue North]]. The plant makes use of a "destructive distillation process", heating coal in vertical slot ovens in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The process releases volatile "coke oven gas," which the plant captures and processes to remove merchantable by-products (crude coal tar, light oil, and ammonium sulfate) and wastes, and then uses as fuel to power the plant. | '''Bluestone Coke''', formerly the '''Sloss Industries Coke Plant''', '''Walter Coke''', and '''ERP Compliant Coke''', is a producer of metallurgical coke located at 3500 [[35th Avenue North]]. The plant makes use of a "destructive distillation process", heating coal in vertical slot ovens in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The process releases volatile "coke oven gas," which the plant captures and processes to remove merchantable by-products (crude coal tar, light oil, and ammonium sulfate) and wastes, and then uses as fuel to power the plant. | ||
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On [[September 20]], [[2013]] the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified ERP Compliant Coke that it was being considered as "potentially responsible party" under the terms of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 for soil contamination documented at the [[35th Avenue Superfund Site]], encompassing parts of the [[Collegeville]], [[Harriman Park neighborhood|Harriman Park]] and [[Fairmont]] neighborhoods. | On [[September 20]], [[2013]] the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified ERP Compliant Coke that it was being considered as "potentially responsible party" under the terms of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 for soil contamination documented at the [[35th Avenue Superfund Site]], encompassing parts of the [[Collegeville]], [[Harriman Park neighborhood|Harriman Park]] and [[Fairmont]] neighborhoods. | ||
In [[2019]] ERP and its Birmingham coke plant were sold to Bluestone Mineral, Inc., which is owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. | In [[2019]] ERP and its Birmingham coke plant were sold to Bluestone Mineral, Inc., which is owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. His son, Jay Justice, is the CEO and chair of Bluestone Resources, the parent of Bluestone Mineral, Inc. | ||
Beginning in July 2020 the [[Jefferson County Department of Health]] documented airborne pollution from the Bluestone Coke plant in violation of local and federal limits. On [[July 15]] the department issued a Notice of Violation to the company. After inspections of the plant in June and July [[2021]], the department determined that the plant constituted a "menace to the public health and public nuisance", and determined not to renew the company's Title V Air Permit. The JCDH also filed a civil suit claiming injunctive relief (closure of the plant) and civil penalties under the [[Alabama Air Pollution Control Act of 1971]]. Bluestone | Beginning in July 2020 the [[Jefferson County Department of Health]] documented airborne pollution from the Bluestone Coke plant in violation of local and federal limits. On [[July 15]] the department issued a Notice of Violation to the company. After inspections of the plant in June and July [[2021]], the department determined that the plant constituted a "menace to the public health and public nuisance", and determined not to renew the company's Title V Air Permit. The JCDH also filed a civil suit claiming injunctive relief (closure of the plant) and civil penalties under the [[Alabama Air Pollution Control Act of 1971]]. Bluestone won a temporary injunction in August, but placed the plant on "hot idle" status in October, and then on a "cold idle" in November. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
* Vincente, Chloe (May 14, 2021) "North Birmingham coke plant violating air regulations as superfund cleanup continues." CBS42.com | * Vincente, Chloe (May 14, 2021) "North Birmingham coke plant violating air regulations as superfund cleanup continues." CBS42.com | ||
* Vincente, Chloe (September 2, 2021) "Bluestone Coke allowed to continue operating despite strong objection from JCDH." CBS42.com | * Vincente, Chloe (September 2, 2021) "Bluestone Coke allowed to continue operating despite strong objection from JCDH." CBS42.com | ||
* Vincente, Chloe (November 24, 2021) "Birmingham coke plant owned by West Virginia governor has no license, multiple health violations." CBS42.com | |||
[[Category:Materials plants]] | [[Category:Materials plants]] | ||
Revision as of 16:52, 29 November 2021
Bluestone Coke, formerly the Sloss Industries Coke Plant, Walter Coke, and ERP Compliant Coke, is a producer of metallurgical coke located at 3500 35th Avenue North. The plant makes use of a "destructive distillation process", heating coal in vertical slot ovens in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere. The process releases volatile "coke oven gas," which the plant captures and processes to remove merchantable by-products (crude coal tar, light oil, and ammonium sulfate) and wastes, and then uses as fuel to power the plant.
In 2010 Walker Coke was listed among the largest sources of airborne particle emissions in Jefferson County, with 9,030 tons. Walter Energy filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2015. Currently the plant operates a total of 120 ovens divided into three batteries.
On September 20, 2013 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency notified ERP Compliant Coke that it was being considered as "potentially responsible party" under the terms of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 for soil contamination documented at the 35th Avenue Superfund Site, encompassing parts of the Collegeville, Harriman Park and Fairmont neighborhoods.
In 2019 ERP and its Birmingham coke plant were sold to Bluestone Mineral, Inc., which is owned by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice. His son, Jay Justice, is the CEO and chair of Bluestone Resources, the parent of Bluestone Mineral, Inc.
Beginning in July 2020 the Jefferson County Department of Health documented airborne pollution from the Bluestone Coke plant in violation of local and federal limits. On July 15 the department issued a Notice of Violation to the company. After inspections of the plant in June and July 2021, the department determined that the plant constituted a "menace to the public health and public nuisance", and determined not to renew the company's Title V Air Permit. The JCDH also filed a civil suit claiming injunctive relief (closure of the plant) and civil penalties under the Alabama Air Pollution Control Act of 1971. Bluestone won a temporary injunction in August, but placed the plant on "hot idle" status in October, and then on a "cold idle" in November.
References
- Vincente, Chloe (May 14, 2021) "North Birmingham coke plant violating air regulations as superfund cleanup continues." CBS42.com
- Vincente, Chloe (September 2, 2021) "Bluestone Coke allowed to continue operating despite strong objection from JCDH." CBS42.com
- Vincente, Chloe (November 24, 2021) "Birmingham coke plant owned by West Virginia governor has no license, multiple health violations." CBS42.com