The New Mexico Environment Department (“NMED”) issued a November 14th Notice of Violation (“NOV”) to Mosaic Potash Carlsbad, Inc. (“MPC”) addressing alleged violations of an Air Permit. See EPCEB Air Case No. MPC-0196-2101.
The NOV references an MPC facility located 16 miles east of Carlsbad, New Mexico.
An inspector from the Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau (“EPCEB”) of NMED is stated to have conducted an on-site Full-Compliance Evaluation of the facility on July 14, 2021. The follow-up visit is referenced to have occurred on September 28, 2021, along with a request of certain records.
The inspector is stated to have reviewed the facility’s compliance reports, permits, including the Semi-Annual Monitoring Reports covering July 1, 2019 -June 30, 2021. Records, photos, and permits for the facility were also reviewed and issued a Post Inspection Notification issued on October 22, 2021.
MPC is stated to have submitted a letter in response to the Post Inspection Notification describing the causes of the violations, and reasons the NMED should reconsider the alleged violations.
The NOV alleges the following violations:
- Failure to apply for and obtain a permit revision prior to replacing engine unit GEN1.
- Failure to limit the monthly average throughput of the LANG Crusher (STK5a) to 372 tons per hour.
- Failure to limit the operating rate of the LANG Dryer to 110% of the horsepower per hour of the product screening bucket elevator.
- Failure to limit the daily average tons per hour process rate for GRAN Reclaim to 85 tph on 2 separate days.
- Failure to conduct weekly inspections of the de-dust coating system.
The NOV also requires that documentation of steps taken to prevent reoccurrence of the violations be provided.
A copy of the NOV can be found here.
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