MEDIA ADVISORY

NEW DATE: JANUARY 31, 2011, 6:00 PM CITY HALL BOARD ROOM

City of Franklin Holds Public Meeting to Discuss TDEC Air Monitoring Report
TDEC Air Monitoring Report Near Superior Essex Plant Released

Franklin, TN – Monday, January 31, the city of Franklin will hold a public meeting to discuss the findings of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation’s (TDEC) air monitoring report near the Superior Essex plant. The meeting will be held at City Hall, in the boardroom at 6 p.m. In response to concerns from residents, TDEC set up air monitoring stations at the plant and in nearby areas to study the air quality. The findings of this 14-month effort will be reported by TDEC at Monday’s meeting.

The following are excerpts of the report:

• In order to thoroughly evaluate all production modes at the plant and any seasonal weather impacts on air quality, the study took approximately 14 months to complete.

• The study concluded that the Superior Essex plant is now operating in compliance with all applicable state and federal air pollution control requirements. Initially, the company was found to be in non-compliance with a work practice standard of not having lids on certain tanks and was fined $31,489. The company paid the penalty in full and the lids are now in place.

• The company is subject to federal and state regulations that set maximum achievable control technology levels for the production of magnet wire. Sampling for the chemicals phenol and cresol - the substances thought to be the concern of citizen complaints about odor - revealed that the concentrations in the air were many times lower than the levels recommended as maximum exposure concentrations. In addition, ambient air quality monitoring revealed no rationale to make existing air pollution control requirements more stringent.

• The chemicals phenol and cresol can be detected by the human sense of smell at very low concentrations and can be unpleasant to some. From time to time, it is possible that the odor of these chemicals will be present in the vicinity of the plant.


The board of Mayor and Aldermen will attend this meeting. For a preview of the report, please visit http://tn.gov/environment/apc/ppo/essex_inv_rpt.pdf.

What: Public Meeting to discuss Superior Essex Air Monitoring Report

When: Monday January 31, 6:00 p.m.

Where: Franklin City Hall Board Room

Who: Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen
TDEC, Deputy Director Division of Air Pollution




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