Purdue’s Proposed Pennsylvania Soybean Plant Gets DEP Approval
On May 6, Purdue secured approval for its proposed soybean plant in York County, Pennsylvania from the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), according to a company statement.
The approval bring the $60 million project closer to reality after the company has been working toward a go-ahead since first applying to begin construction in August 2012. It also clears the way for the company to finalize the purchase of the property from the Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA).
Work on the plant is scheduled to begin in June of this year and be completed by September 2017 in time for the 2017 harvest. The facility is expected to be one of the most advanced of its kind due to the fact that it will be adjacent to the LCSWMA facility, which will be a provider of water and steam for processing.
There has been opposition to the livestock feed plant due to its use of hexane in its processing operations, which have been indicated to contribute to asthma and pulmonary issues, reports YDR. As part of the DEP’s approval plan, the plant must adhere to regulations limiting it to the maximum release of 208 tons of hexane per year with systems installed to monitor for leaks, and will be required to purchase 257 tons of emissions credits from other locations across Pennsylvania in accordance with federal environmental rules.
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