News Release 021

DEPARTMENT SEEKS COMMENTS ON CONTINENTAL CEMENT COMPANY HAZARDOUS WASTE VARIANCE PETITION, RECOMMENDATION

Volume 36-021

Contact: Renee Bungart

(For immediate release)

573-751-4465

JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN 17, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources invites the public to review and offer written comments on a variance petition that would give Continental Cement Company L.L.C. more flexibility in unloading hazardous waste from railcars.

The department is also seeking comments on the department's recommendation to the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Commission to approve the variance petition with conditions. This variance petition is the same as the variance the commission approved for Continental Cement Company in April 2007, which expires April 5.

The department will accept public comments on both documents until Feb. 19. Please send written comments to Robert Clay, PE, Department of Natural Resources, Hazardous Waste Program, P.O. Box 176, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0176. During the 30-day public comment period, anyone can request a formal public hearing on the variance petition or the department's recommendation by writing to Clay. If no public hearing is requested, the commission can decide on the matter no sooner than Feb. 19.

Continental Cement is located at 10107 Highway 79 South in Hannibal and operates an active "wet process" cement kiln. The kiln produces 2,000 tons of clinker per day. Clinker is the primary ingredient in Portland cement. Continental Cement uses both coal and a variety of liquid and solid hazardous waste-derived fuel to heat its kiln. The company receives the hazardous waste by both truck and railcar. Green America Recycling, a joint venture between Continental Cement and American Environmental Services Inc., operates the on-site liquid and solid hazardous waste fuel programs.

The department received Continental Cement's petition for a variance from 10 CSR 25-7.264(3)(B)2 on Dec. 12. According to state regulations, "The owner/operator shall unload hazardous waste from an incoming railcar within 72 hours of receipt of the shipment." Continental Cement is unable to control the scheduling and routing of incoming railcars from the railroad. This results in the railroad staging incoming railcars in various other, potentially less secure, locations off Continental Cement's property until the company can accept them.

The department reviewed the variance petition and determined the request to be non-substantive.
The department has recommended the commission grant the variance petition with conditions. If the commission agrees with the department's recommendations and approves the variance petition, Continental Cement would be allowed 10 days from receipt of the shipment to unload hazardous waste from incoming railcars. As a result, Continental Cement would have the flexibility to stage more railcars on their property.

Railcars staged at the Continental Cement's facility are regularly inspected for leaks, spills or other problems or hazards. Continental Cement is also required to identify any newly discovered releases, such as a railcar leak or release, on its property and to conduct an investigation under the corrective action portion of its hazardous waste permit.

The variance petition and department's recommendation are available on the department's Web site at www.dnr.mo.gov/env/hwp/permits/notices.htm. Supporting documents are not available on the department's Web site due to their size. The public can review and copy the variance petition, department's recommendation and supporting documents at any of the following locations:

Hannibal Free Public Library
200 South Fifth St., Hannibal
Hours:    9 a.m. to 8 p.m.--Monday through Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.--Friday and Saturday

Missouri Department of Natural Resources*
1730 E. Elm St. (lower level), Jefferson City
Phone: 573-522-3345
*By appointment

You may call or write the department at any time to request to have your name placed on Continental Cement's mailing list. By doing this, you will receive notice from the department or Continental Cement on any major permitting and cleanup activities at the facility.

For more information, or to obtain a written copy of the documents for review, please contact Clay by telephone at 573-751-3553 or 800-361-4827 or by e-mail at robert.clay@dnr.mo.gov. Hearing-impaired people may reach Clay through Relay Missouri at 800-735-2966.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming events, hearings and meetings, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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