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New Jerome, ID employer, Hilex Poly Co., promises ‘environmentally friendly’ manufacturing

There is no wiggle room when it comes to compliance with federal and state air emissions regulations.

"You either meet the criteria or you don’t get a permit," said Doug Herlocker, air quality specialist and environmental consultant with Tetra Tech EM Inc. in Boise.

By Cathy Roemer
Times News correspondent

http://www.magicvalley.com/news/business/index.asp?StoryID=6196

Herlocker spoke at a public information meeting in Jerome Tuesday on behalf of Hilex Poly Co., the polyethylene bag manufacturer slated to begin operations in Jerome in January. Hilex Poly purchased the former Moore Wallace Inc. business-forms plant in Jerome and must receive Department of Environmental Quality preconstruction approval before remodeling of the facility begins.

Tuesday’s meeting was part of DEQ’s regulatory process to give people an opportunity to ask questions and gather information about how the business will operate in the community.

Hilex Poly plans to operate equipment that produces ozone and ammonia emissions. The emissions will be released from the facility via a central exhaust system and stack on top of the building roof. Production will occur in three phases until the plant is at capacity, planned for 2006.

"Any facility that has air emissions must meet national and state standards and have a comprehensive evaluation and description of how those rules will be met," Herlocker said.

For Hilex Poly, it’s a "been there, done that," scenario. With five other plants in operation in the United States, local plant manager Mike Schutz said, "we understand what is required and we are working with the DEQ to help them understand our process and how we can meet their standards."

Also, Schutz said, all five plants use a process like the one that will be operated in Jerome and "all of those are in compliance."

Schutz stressed his company’s already "environmentally friendly" approach to manufacturing.

"We use water-based ink for printing, and all the scrap material produced by the plant is recycled," he said.

Ozone produced by the facility will be well below what the DEQ recognizes as a significant amount, he said. Projections are based on the plant’s full running capacity at the end of phase three.

Marlin Eldred, economic development director for Jerome, said Helix Poly has been thorough in taking care of business to set up business.

"They’ve stepped up and said, ‘Here’s who we are and this is what we are doing,’" he said. "They are familiar with the regulations and know what needs to be done."

In his day-to-day interaction with local residents, Eldred said, he hasn’t heard any negative comments.

"People think this is a good thing for the community," he said.

The pre-permit application will allow the company to begin construction, but operations will not begin until final approval is given by DEQ.

"We want to make sure everything is in place before start-up," Schutz said.

Once the plant is operating, air emissions are monitored monthly. Should adjustments be necessary, Schutz said, "we are prepared to remedy as appropriate."

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