NEWS

Green Bay coal pile air-quality study 'unlikely'

Doug Schneider
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
C. Reiss Coal Co. Green Bay Wharf Port Facility on the west bank of the Fox River in Green Bay.
  • Coal is stored in piles at West Mason and Broadway%2C prompting complaints about 'fugitive dust'
  • Brown County health officials say a study would cost at least %2429%2C000%2C and probably more
  • Local elected officials have long hoped to move C. Reiss coal piles so land could be developed

Now that they've seen how much it could cost, Brown County lawmakers are unlikely to fund an air-quality study of a neighborhood affected by dust from coal piles along the Fox River in Green Bay.

Supervisor Erik Hoyer, whose district includes part of the river's east shore, said he probably won't pursue a study of the impact of dust from Koch Industries' C. Reiss Coal Co. facility at West Mason Street and Broadway on the city's west side.

Brown County health officials Wednesday said a study would cost more than $29,000. They said the expense likely would double if the county wanted to compile data that would withstand a potential lawsuit because a $30,000 piece of equipment would have to be purchased.

"Unless something were to come up that would connect health impacts directly to the coal facility ... I would probably not want to pursue this," Hoyer said after the county's Human Services Committee met with health officials and a C. Reiss representative. He said the county still should consider hiring a consultant to do a study. It is unclear what that would cost.

The committee then voted to file Hoyer's request for a study.

Hoyer asked in March that the county explore a study and "remediation and elimination of potential health risks." He said he has received complaints from constituents about nuisance levels of dust believed to be from C. Reiss, but had not had a constituent raise health questions.

Health officials said a study would take six to 12 months, require more than 600 hours of staff time, and sap resources that could be used for services that benefit a range of county residents.

"It would be taking hours away from the staff, and (affecting) all their other duties," county health director Chua Xiong said.

Coal that arrives by ship is stored in outdoor piles, prompting periodic complaints about "fugitive dust" that blows across the river. Local elected officials long have hoped to move the piles so the land could be developed, but the cost would be prohibitive. Mayor Jim Schmitt in March said a move would cost "at least $20 million;" a study in 2004 pegged the amount at $29 million.

The company also would have to be willing to leave the site, which has been used for coal storage for decades. In the past, officials have discussed an area near the Wisconsin Public Service Corp. Pulliam Power Plant at the mouth of the river, Supervisor Patrick Evans said.

Jeffrey T. Schoepke, a regional manager for C. Reiss, said the company is willing to listen to proposals about moving the piles. He also said the company complies with state regulations governing levels of dust that escape from the site.

"The fugitive-dust plan we're required to submit is pretty robust," he said. But as far as moving the piles, "We haven't been able to figure out how to do" that.

Hoyer said he recently toured the facility at the invitation of C. Reiss officials, and determined that less dust seems to be escaping the site. The company in recent years has made a six-figure investment designed to keep dust from escaping, including the installation of a spraying system.

"I think C. Reiss is doing their due diligence," Hoyer said. "The evidence I have is that from a health perspective, (the dust) is not having an impact."

— dschneid@greenbaypressgazette.com and follow him on Twitter @PGDougSchneider.