Pa. DEP approves controversial Lancaster County soybean plant

(Harrisburg) — The state has approved a controversial soybean-crushing plant in Lancaster County that’s expected to bring not only jobs, but also added air pollution.

The state Department of Environmental Protection has signed off on the Perdue AgriBusiness plant in Conoy Township.

Perdue spokeswoman Julie DeYoung says farmers have had to truck soybeans to Maryland for them to be processed, before they were trucked back to the midstate.

“That can all now be done right there in Pennsylvania. The plant’s being built in the heart of soybean production area there, so it’ll provide another market for the local farmers,” she says.

DeYoung adds that the company has done its best to limit pollution.

“We were pleased that the DEP acknowledged that the plant will be one of the most technologically advanced facilities, with a very stringent emission limitation requirement.”

DeYoung says the plant will also lead to 35 full-time jobs, and a growing agricultural industry in the midstate.

Patricia Longenecker, who lives in nearby West Donegal Township, isn’t convinced..

“35 people against hundreds of people affected by the air quality. So, you can’t justify it.”

“From my township across the river to Hellam, all of these areas, all of our people, a population continue to be exposed to pollutants.”

The state Department of Environmental Protection will allow Perdue to add 208 tons of hexane – a toxin linked to blurred vision and fatigue – to the air every year.

In comments to WITF, DEP Secretary John Quigley says the plant met all of Department’s requirements, so it was approved. (hear an interview with Secretary Quigley above)

Activists can still appeal DEP’s ruling ot the Environmental Hearing Board.

Perdue, meanwhile, says it expects to start construction in June, with the plant ready by September 2017.

Groups in favor of the plant issued statements Thursday.

From the Lancaster County Agriculture Council

The Lancaster County Agriculture Council is pleased with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection decision to approve the Perdue Soybean Storage and Processing project. This decision is good for Lancaster County farmers and the broader agricultural community. Investments like this into the local agricultural supply and distribution chain are critical to keeping farms in Lancaster County competitive and sustainable, which in turn provides stability for the broader Lancaster County economy and community.

From the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority

Today represents an important benchmark for Perdue, LCSWMA, Lancaster County and the regional farming community. LCSWMA could not be happier or more supportive of PA-DEP’s decision to permit the soybean extraction facility. After six years of hard work, community collaboration and cooperation with PA-DEP, the project partners can now work toward making this facility a reality for the 2017 soybean harvest.

This project also represents an important achievement for LCSWMA, as Perdue’s facility will use steam from our Lancaster Waste-to-Energy (WTE) Facility in the soybean oil extraction process. We applaud Perdue for making the environmentally conscious decision to use renewable WTE steam as an alternative to fossil fuels. This green partnership demonstrates one more way LCSWMA is making waste a resource for our community.