Florence Copper opponents skeptical of air quality

The Pinal County Air Quality Control District held the hearing to obtain comments on a “minor amendment” Florence Copper is seeking to its permit. The company said the change is to acknowledge the project’s lower emissions through improved technology. The project is adding wet scrubbers to minimize sulfuric acid mist, along with fuel burning equipment, according to information Pinal County provided to attendees Tuesday.

The Florence Copper Project off Hunt Highway is not currently operational and has no emissions, but the company is preparing for a small-scale test phase of its processes, which could begin this summer.

Florence Mayor Tara Walter told air quality representatives Tuesday that Anthem and San Tan Valley developed under the assumption there was no operable mine here, and airborne emissions from the mine have the potential of reaching two elementary schools in Anthem just two miles away.

She further claimed that Florence Copper didn’t timely file for renewal of its air quality permit in 2011, so Pinal County must deny the company’s current request and instruct it to apply for a new one.

“For you to allow this to continue is criminal,” she told Pinal County Air Quality personnel.

Barbara Pashkowski, an attorney who has represented the town of Florence against Florence Copper, agreed.

“The permit you’re proposing to issue today is illegal.” She said the county needs to tell Florence Copper to “go back to the drawing board” and submit “a new source permit application.”

Councilman John Anderson said his understanding of Pinal County Air Quality’s website is that it has no readings for this part of the county, and asked how it could consider approving air quality it doesn’t know. He added as he reads the code, “you shouldn’t even be having this hearing; you should have already made your decision.”

Councilwoman Karen Wall said when more than 80 percent of the original text has been revised, “this is not a ‘minor amendment,” and it includes a request to approve the permit for both the test phase and the proposed commercial operation.

“How can this board issue a permit for a future operation when the production test facility has not yet proven it is capable of controlling the listed particulates and emissions? This permit should not include the proposed commercial operation,” Wall said. She said the permit should only be issued for the dates of the test phase, as approved by state and federal regulators.

She further said the electrowinning process “represents a realistic fire and explosion hazard.” Other potential hazards include breaks in surface pipelines, leaks from storage tanks and spills from delivery trucks, “all of which could result in significant negative impacts to air quality,” Wall said.

But the major issue for most opponents isn’t the air but the water, as Councilman Bill Hawkins reminded air quality representatives. “It amazes me, as precious as water is, why we would ever take a chance on this.”

Stacy Gramazio with Florence Copper said to put the permit in context, other “minor source” air quality permits are held by dry cleaners and the hospitals in Florence and San Tan Valley. She added she’s tired of seeing her tax dollars wasted at all levels of government to fight Florence Copper’s permits.

Guy Rankin, who owns property east of Florence Copper, said “as long as they fulfill their permits, I support them. … Let’s move this forward.”

Rodney Lawson said he left Florence because “there was nothing left in this town for my family. … We need to get on with making copper and paying decent wages right here in Florence.”

Dan Johnson, vice president and general manager of Florence Copper, told air quality representatives that science and engineering show that Florence Copper can conduct its operations in a safe manner.

“The air quality permit under consideration for minor permit revisions and update for renewal has been in place for 20 years now,” he said. “During that time Florence Copper has complied with all permit requirements and submitted all reports in a timely manner. More importantly, there have been zero reportable incidents of violations during the entire time the permit has been in effect.”

Johnson said site improvements include paved roads, gated entrance, a chip-sealed main road in and out of the property, and continuously-supplied dust suppression, even at night, during drilling activities. He said both state and federal regulatory agencies have been satisfied with what Florence Copper has done, which has led to final permits being issued.

Johnson added that Florence Copper requested Tuesday’s hearing for feedback from the community on how to potentially further improve the permit.

Barb Silvester, an air permitting engineer who said she’s been associated with the Florence Copper Project for 20 years, said “these permits are quite tight,” requiring routine checks, routine reporting and checks and balances.

Bill Tanner of Florence said, “The very thing that will get us to a better air quality is copper. We can’t get to a low-carbon future without copper. … I fully support Florence Copper.”

Keith Kinney of Florence said at this time, Florence Copper is only approved for a one-year testing phase. “If they’re polluting, shut it down,” he said. He added if it succeeds, Florence will have another thriving industry besides the prisons.

David Maltin said opposition appears to be politically-motivated.

“Johnson Utilities would love to have the water,” he said. “Homebuilders would love to have the land.”