Maybe we need one of those raucous congressional town hall-type meetings about this: Congress is essentially considering closing down an Augusta business.
House Resolution 2190 would ban mercury-based chlorine manufacturing plants within two years of passage.
The Olin plant in south Augusta, which makes chlorine and other essential chemicals, can't be converted to a non-mercury process within two years, the owners say. You're left to conclude it would close, throwing some 200 Augustans out of work and leaving hundreds of other suppliers, contractors and customers out in the cold.
But all is most certainly not lost.
Olin officials do seem resigned to congressional action outlawing the use of poisonous mercury in the production of chlorine. There are only three other such plants in the country besides the Augusta one anyway.
What they object to, though, is the tight time frame, and we don't blame them a bit: It's just unreasonable to expect such a complicated and sensitive process to be deconstructed, redesigned and reconstructed in the span of two years.
Company officials and other industry leaders are merely asking Congress to give them more time: six years rather than two.
It's essential for this Augusta industry, and the many other businesses and individuals that depend on it, that Congress be more reasonable. We can help clean up the planet -- or we can rush through it and kill the economy in the process.
Olin has been here over 40 years. And while the plant has been controversial -- studies found unacceptable levels of mercury in the canal that leads from Olin to the Savannah -- it's a good corporate citizen that adds much to charitable causes and the business climate.
We certainly understand Washington's zeal for ending the mercury-based manufacture of chlorine. The process is unnecessary with today's new technologies. But neither is there any reason to order a conversion that's so rushed that it's essentially impossible and only closes plants and kills jobs.
As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee that is considering the bill, Rep. John Barrow is in a unique position to help save the jobs of hundreds of Augustans.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Management should have seen this coming. This is capitalism at work governed by a representative Democracy. Don't blame the government. What was going on when Bush was giving away all the tax breaks (the good years) to such businesses. That time & money should have been used to prepare for Research and Development. Thats how successful management works. Now, this plea to "give us more time" does not demonstrate the kind of leadership required for the 21st century. Mercury-based chlorine manufacturing puts chemical risk on the community and must be converted. To keep putting it off, is why this and other serious hazardous waste problems can't be solved. HR 2190 is progress, so lets get to it.
Olin managed to convert other plants to a non-mercury pocess. Why not Augusta? This is not news to them-they've known for many years this was coming. Good corporate citizens don't continue hazardous practices.
One of the worst parts of being in a Repub area during a time when the Dems rule congress is that there's no mercy.
Sounds like a good resolution to me.
Echo justus4 5:16 and and JPB 6:07.
Does the Chronicle think that it is better to poison people than to clean up a known polluter? Mercury, my friends, is nasty stuff.
They have known for years that they would eventually need to convert this plant and have put it off. It is like putting off the homework due on Monday morning until midnight on Sunday night.
But mercury makes those fishies and shrimpies taste sooooo good.
Don't forget that the caustic soda produced by the membrane process is at a lower concentration than that produced by mercury cell. When they use energy to increase concentration up to the conventional concentration (the concentration in use througout industry), the cost is higher than the cost with mercury cell. Therefore, expect higher prices on hundreds of thousands of commodities that use caustic soda and chlorine.
Although I abhor government interference, there is no place for a company that puts caustic substances in the common water or air. It's also another reason why the proposed coal fueled power plant in Washington County is such a bad idea. The fallout would be affecting the lake and river. But what the heck am I worried about? SRS is going to start storing mercury from all over the world. Tell them to figure out a way to get it out of the river as it runs by them.
Agree TOTALLY with Riverman1 8:30 AM post. I run the area rivers frequently but only very rarely the Savannah near Bush Field but did yesterday afternoon because it's close. Put in just below New Lock and Dam and was appalled at how nasty the air smelled and the industrial discharges into the river in that area. It's disgusting. To many it's "out of sight, out of mind" but the negative impact if far greater than can be covered here. Typical Augusta ...
I guess Barrow is good for something for the editorial staff LOL. I bet before the SOC rally LOL he will be good for nothing if he speaks out support the Health Care Reform.
So, there ya go, ACES. Not only do the usual leftwing posters disagree with you, but the folks who usually support your editorials are against you. Maybe you better take stock.
Sounds like Olin should have fixed their problems instead of dragging their feet and throwing up a smokescreen. As a result the workers will get a raw deal, but they were a part of what Olin was doing, and should have refused to have anything to do with it.
Olin has been polluting for 40 years and wants 6 more to clean up its act?
http://www.doi.gov/news/09_News_Releases/081909.html
So, what you're saying, Chronicle, is that money is more important than health...
Jackfruit, I ain't looking for Barrow to crawl out from under his desk where he is hiding from his constituents rather than listen to them about HR 3200 socialized medicine/more guv'munt intervention in our lives.
Typical chronicle, for the coprporations against the people.
If Olin shuts down in a couple of years here the government is not responsible, Olin is. They have been in trouble before and knew they needed to convert the plant here. If they shut down and lay people off it means they had planned all along to move towards closing this plant.
Mercury has been known to be dangerous for quite some time. If the Olin plant won't make their plant safe for their employees and the local ecosystem themselves then I am glad at least someone can make them.
They should have started 20 years ago instead of waiting for the govt to do it. Hurray for House Resolution 2190,
Land is relatively cheap around the Olin plant. they could be building their modern facility 'down the road' from their current plant and have it up and running before the 2 years is up. They are just stonewalling for Government $$$$$--just like they did years ago when they threatened to leave Ga. if we didn't stop making them pay their sales tax on electricity. Corporate greed here and nothing else!!
That is their first out. You make us behave and we'll leave this area. All the big plants do it.