ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD

August 9, 1973

COEVAL, INCORPORATED,

Petitioner,

vs.

)

PCB 73—178

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY,

Respondent.

George Reschke appeared on behalf of Petitioner

Thomas A. Cengel, Assistant Attorney General for the EPA

OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by Mr. Henss)

Coeval, Inc. operates a corn cob grinding and refining

plant near St. Joseph, Champaign County, Illinois. The facility

processes about 20,000 tons of corn cobs annually into a variety

of sizes for various speciality uses. Petitioner operates 24

hours per day year around and employs 13 persons. The plant

is situated in an agricultural setting with the nearest residence

being some 1/3 mile distant.

On May 1, 1973 Coeval filed its petition for variance to

allow continued operation while new baghouse equipment was being

installed. According to the Agency, Petitioner requires a

variance from Rule 3-3.111 of the Rules and Regulations Governing

the Control of Air Pollution.

New management at Coeval has been responsible for reviving

a nearly defunct operation. Mr. George Reschke, President of

Coeval, took over the operation during the Spring of 1970 when

the plant was experiencing severe financial losses, numerous

fires, insurability problems and refusal of the railroad to

continue serving the plant. After proceeding cautiously for a

short period of time, gradual improvements were made throughout

the facility including the installation of two baghouses during

1971 and 1972 for the control of process emissions.

Petitioner now intends to reduce emissions drastically by

installing a baghouse which will serve 5 cyclones. Equipment

has been ordered and is expected to be in operation around

October 15, 1973. Coeval estimates the plant now emits about 178.1

lbs. of particulate per hour and acknowledges that it is in

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violation of regulations. Agency calculations show Petitioner~s

estimated emission rate to be about 229 lbs. per hour. Petitioner

apparently thought allowable emissions were 4.10 lbs. per hour

particulate matter. However, the Agency points out that since

Petitioner was not in compliance with Rule 203(b) on the date

two new air pollution regulations were adopted, Petitioner~s

operation will be governed by Rule 203(a) which allows Petitioner

to emit only 2.60 lbs. of particulate per hour. This lower

emission rate should present no serious problem since the bag-

house Coeval plans to install has an estimated efficiency of

99.99.

Coeval requests that the variance extend to January 15, 1974

to allow sufficient time for the submission and processing of an

operating permit application. We do not believe that this amount

of additional time is necessary. The Agency has recommended that

we grant the variance but only until October 15, 1973. The Agency

points out that Petitioner can apply for the operating permits

immediately upon receiving the variance. The Agency may grant

operating permits when an emission source or piece of control

equipment is covered by a variance. We believe permit procedures

can be completed by November

15,

1973.

To deny Coeval this variance would probably be a devastating

blow to the Company at this time. Testimony indicated that the

corn cobs now being prepared for delivery to the plant would

possibly be destroyed by burning if the plant could not accept

deliveries during the time period involved. An Agency investi-

gation revealed that none of Coeval’s neighbors have experienced

any serious problems because of the emissions and no objections

were voiced to the granting of a variance. We shall grant the

variance until November 15, 1973.

ORDER

It is the Order of the Board that Coeval, Inc. is granted a

variance from Rule 3-3.111 of the Rules and Regulations Governing

the Control of Air Pollution until November 15, 1973 for the

purpose of continued operations while a new baghouse is being

installed. Petitioner shall apply for all required construction

and operating permits without further delay.

I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control

Board, hereby certify the above Opinion and Order was adopted

this

~

day of August, 1973 by a vote of ~ to ~)

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