Commissioners hear complaints
By Melinda L. Lucas
Several Albany residents spoke at the Shackelford County commissioners meeting on Monday morning, June 28 concerning the smell emitted by a new rendering plant on the edge of town.
Since Texas Renewables is located adjacent to but just outside the city limits, the citizens approached the county officers about possible action against the company, which reportedly operates a protein conversion facility that “converts animal plasma into a dried protein additive to be used in products such as organic fertilizer and organic pet food.”
In addition to the seven people who spoke at the meeting, there were recordings of others who could not be there.
Almost everyone talked about searching for dead animals on their properties when the “abhorrent” smell first started, then finally realizing that it was coming from the plant several blocks away.
Darla Cotter, who acted as spokesman for the group, played a recording by Justin Noble, manager of Fox Tank next door to Texas Renewables, who talked about “multiple problems” caused by plant operations.
“We have had at least eight employees quit due to the smell, and a blood leak that has run all the way through their property and ours to (the edge of) George Harvick’s,” said Noble. “This is very problematic...and not something that should have ever be allowed.”
Concerns listed by the citizen group included: Odor ruining enjoyment of outdoor activities; environmental hazards in air, land, and water; possible water contamination; and loss of property values and damage to local businesses because of odor/hazards.
They have already filed an official complaint with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and reportedly, a representative was in Albany Monday to start the investigation.
If there is evidence of a blood spill or runoff, it is likely that the federal Environmental Protection Agency will be involved.
Commissioner Lanham Martin, who worked for the animal health commission for 15 years, stated that the plant’s air “scrubbers” must be inadequate.
“I have been to bigger plants that have absolutely no smell,” said Martin. “The technology is there.”
County judge Robert Skelton said that he and the commissioners plan to investigate options for ordinances to prevent similar operations in the future, but such action might not cover a business already in operation.
“Their business plan was for it not to small,” said Skelton. “Something has gone wrong, and they need to correct that.”
At this point, Skelton said that the commissioners would wait for TCEQ and possibly the EPA to investigate, but he “pledged to do everything we can” to resolve the problem.
Rock Hill School
Lacie Rivera presented a petition bearing 100 names asking the commissioners to make repairs to the Rockhill School building in Precinct 4 that served as a county polling site for decades.
“We feel like this is one of our oldest buildings (in the Hamby community), and we would like to see it repaired,” said Rivera.
Ownership of the property has been in question for several years, and Pct. 4 commissioner Cody Jordan said that the county needs to have legal documentation before spending the $8,000 to $12,000 it will take to make those repairs.
County Attorney Rollin Rauschl will contact a third title company to see if a quit claim deed can be obtained from the Clyde school district, with whom Hamby consolidated.
Other Business
•An ordinance was adopted recognizing the retirement of longtime deputy Stephen Mabry.
•A motion passed to see bids for repair of a bridge on CR 179.
