Aluminum Castings meets all environmental regulations: Galesburg report

The city has released its findings regarding questions posed to the administration and Aluminum Castings over the business’ plans to expand manufacturing in their current facilities. The report finds that Aluminum Castings is a minimal polluter and that the company meets all environmental regulations.

Peter Schwartzman, Ward 5, raised concerns at a previous City Council meeting over whether an expanded manufacturing plant would increase harmful pollutants and noxious odors released just blocks away from the downtown district.

Aluminum Castings is asking the city to allow for heavy industrial work at its existing facility, which is currently zoned for light industrial work. Schwartzman drafted nine questions to be answered by the city and the company that he said would give him better insight over whether to approve a measure allowing for the rezoning. City Council is slated to vote on the measure at its July 2 meeting.

In response to Schwartzman’s questions about the extent of the company’s pollution, Aluminum Castings President Bret Markham wrote in the report that the company is one of 3,000 sources of pollution that combined only make up 1 percent of the state’s air pollution.

The company keeps monthly as well as annual reports that detail what pollutants released into the air. The company releases 2,340 pounds of “particulate matter” and 1,200 pounds of carbon monoxide yearly. Their total amount of pollutants released a year is 4,772 pounds. Particulate matter is “a complex mixture of extremely small particles and liquid droplets. Once inhaled, these particles can affect the heart and lungs,” according the Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

For comparison’s sake, Markham wrote that a gasoline-powered truck emits just over 1,000 pounds of pollutants yearly.

Markham previously told The Register-Mail that his company employs a firm that ensures Aluminum Castings’ emissions and facilities meet state and federal requirements. The Register-Mail previously reported that Aluminum Castings was not one of the top 10 polluters in the area.

Markham said in the report that even if the company increased production three-fold, it would “still be considered a small source for regulated air permits.”

Aluminum Castings melts pure aluminum using natural gas, which the report stated is the cleanest fossil fuel that could be used. Markham also added that the company bought property adjacent to its current facility that some considered eyesores in the community, and that the company plans to do landscaping at its expanded facilities.

Schwartzman and other citizens have reported that the manufacturer gives off an odor, which they say could potentially cause people not to patronize businesses near the company. Still, neighbors of the business say odors are minimal and that they would support Aluminum Castings’ expansion.

Schwartzman was not available for comment Wednesday.