Timet OK to pollute

Friday, Aug. 14, 1998 | 11:02 a.m.

Environmental groups expressed outrage after a Clark County clean air board OK'd a plan Thursday to allow Titanium Metals Corp. to spew more than 5 pounds of pollutants per hour into the atmosphere during the next four months.

The Air Pollution Control Hearing Board set eight conditions on the company, while workers replace a $300,000 scrubber that was lost in explosions and fire Aug. 4. The temporary permit ends on Dec. 13.

Board Chairman James LaVelle criticized Timet for submitting scant details on the accident, which did not injure anyone. He also noted that the company failed to outline actions to prevent another molten magnesium spill. "You don't even have a construction schedule?" he asked.

Timet's environmental attorney Joshua Epel of Denver said no schedule has been set because the company was still investigating the accident.

The vacuum distillation process separating magnesium and titanium is one of three processes used to make the metal. Its pollution equipment was destroyed. "It is the heart of the process," Epel said. Monsanto is supplying the new scrubber and Timet could have it installed by Nov. 20.

Without the variance, however, the company would have to stop producing the strong, lightweight metal used in spacecraft, airlines, golf clubs and body replacement joints. Timet employs about 600 workers.

But environmentalists sharply disagreed with the company's economic argument.

"Clean air is not only an economic issue, an issue of jobs, it is also a health issue," said Deanna White, vice chair of the Sierra Club's Clean Air Project. Her main concern was the length of time Timet will be able to pollute. She suggested a two-month permit with a review by the board in October.

That prompted the board to schedule month-by-month, detailed reports from the company. The hearing board meets at the Clark County Health District, 625 Shadow Lane.

"The Sierra Club understands the economic impacts to the community," White said. "But the issue is also one of continuing pollution to the immediate neighborhood."

Air Pollution Control Director Michael Naylor said Timet's expected pollution from particles, hydrogen chloride and chlorine would not break the clean air rules unless winds rake the valley. He assured the board that Timet did not release any toxic substance, even during the accident at the Henderson plant.

However, Naylor said his division will enforce the clean air rules, seeking up to a $10,000 fine for the smoke and fumes from the Timet accident if an employee caused it. He estimated pollution -- such as carbon monoxide -- from the explosions and fire at roughly 10 times the amount normally produced by the plant.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency in San Francisco is also investigating the accident, spokesman Randy Wittorp said. The EPA could enforce pollution rules for the accident and for additional pollution, since it doesn't recognize local variances allowing more pollution.

Rick Nielsen of Citizen Alert, who did not attend the hearing, said it was unfair to the community to allow Timet to buy emission credits for between $330 and $629 per ton somewhere else in the valley while its Henderson neighbors suffered. Timet is required to remove 4 tons of pollution for every ton it produces under the board's action.

"I don't think the public should have to bear the brunt of this unfortunate accident," Nielsen said.