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Southeast Iowans worried about pollution from planned fertilizer plant
Associated Press
Oct. 19, 2012 8:55 am
A new $1.4 billion fertilizer plant to be built in southeast Iowa has local residents worried that it may pollute the air and cause their property values to fall.
The Hawk Eye in Burlington reports an air quality permit hearing on Wednesday drew a much larger crowd than state environmental officials expected as local families streamed into the meeting room, leaving many standing along the walls and in doorways.
Local union representatives are touting the jobs to be created, but opponents voice concern about raising their children near the plant they say will pour nitrogen oxides and other pollutants into the air.
Iowa environmental officials say the plant must have 23 air quality permits approved before construction begins and monitoring will continue once it's in operation.
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