It's About Time! RES Receives Demand Letter

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is asking Renewable Environmental Solutions LLC (RES) to negotiate or pay the penalties, of up to $60,000, for their odor emissions. Previously, RES was issued six Notices of Excess Emissions, on March 31, April 15, April 20, June 10, July 22, and August 5, 2005. The Notices are now VIOLATIONS, because the company was not able to show that the emissions were the result of an equipment malfunction or problems at startup or shutdown.

The Demand Letter sets out a process to settle or negotiate a resolution. RES's first option would be to pay the $10,000 per violation. Another option would be to negotiate a different settlement, before September 2, 2005. If that doesn't happen, the matter goes to the Missouri Air Conservation Commission. According the The Carthage Press, Saturday, August 20, 2005, if the matter goes to the Missouri Air Conservation Commission, the MDNR Air Pollution Control Program will request authorization to refer the violations to the State's Attorney General's Office.

Well, to me, that is a pretty bureaucratic process to collect the $60,000 fine, especially since the Missouri Attorney General has already joined the City of Carthage in a nuisance lawsuit against RES. I think that if they pollute, they ought to pay. There is no question in anyone's mind that RES stinks. It is time to pay up, now.