Comment period re: new Ajax plant & capacity increase (due 10/31)

ATTN Residents of NE corner of Auburn Hills, SE corner of Orion & NW corner of Rochester Hills!

Ajax Materials Corp. has requested the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) for a permit to install a new hot mix asphalt (HMA) plant in their facility located at 4875 Bald Mountain Road in Auburn Hills (please note that this plant is actually located in Orion Twp., but has an Auburn Hills mailing address) . The MDEQ is holding a public comment period that has been extended to the end of the month (Tuesday, October 31st). Comments will be taken into consideration before the approval of the permit.

Send your comment to: DEQ-AQD-PTIPublicComments@michigan.gov
In the email subject write: Ajax Materials Corporation (Auburn Hills) - Permit to Install No. 75-17 . Your email body should include: your name and address at the top, then your comment, and your phone number and/or email address at the bottom (if you would like to receive a response).

Information about the proposed project:

Per the MDEQ, "the new plant will have a mixing process called a counterflow drum that is more efficient and produces less emissions than the current process called a parallel flow drum." They are also adding an odor control system to reduce odor complaints. Additionally, the new permit allows for a 25% increase in the plant's capacity -from 400 to 500 tons per hour (tph), which will increase emissions and also the amount of fuel (natural gas) used. Residents in the area are asking the MDEQ to:

• Deny the capacity increase from 400 to 500 tons per hour (tph) included in the permit in order to prevent any emissions increase. If the new process (counterflow drum) is truly more effective and produces less emissions, do not invalidate the benefits by allowing an increase in their current capacity and volume.
• Install an air pollution sensor closer to Ajax's facility in order to measure accurately the air pollutants that neighbors are breathing. The closest sensor located 25 miles away in Oak Park cannot reflect the impact Ajax's current and proposed HMA has/will have in neighboring communities.
• Implement mandatory testing of Ajax new HMA plant's emissions in fixed intervals (not prompted by complaints) to ensure that the improvements they claim are real. Per the MDEQ inspector for our area: currently, the MDEQ visits Ajax 's facility only when a complaint is made and an "official" visit is required only once every 2 years.

Learn more about this project at: http://www.deq.state.mi.us/aps/cwerp.shtml

If you live in the area and have been affected by Ajax's noise, particulate matter (dust) and/or air pollution, please submit a comment to the MDEQ expressing your concerns about the proposed plant and increase in air emissions. Due date is Tuesday, October 31st.

Thanks!