Fernandina Beach, Florida – Multiple groups in Nassau County are raising concerns about the health effects of a new bioethanol plant on people living nearby.
The concerns concern Rainier Advanced Materials (RYAM), a bioethanol plant planned for Fernandina Beach.
Rayonier is a chemical company that also produces products for wood and paper.
Joyce Tuten, a former chemistry teacher and member of Conserve Nassau, explained what RYAM hopes to begin producing in Nassau County.
“I'm an educator for NOAA's climate change management committee, so I'm a big fan of bioethanol, especially next-generation ethanol, because it's waste-to-fuel,” Tuten said.
According to a page on the company's website, the 2G bioethanol they hope to produce is a sustainable fuel and a low-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.
It will be made using tree waste.
Tuten is a fan of bioethanol, but was surprised when he heard the plant would be located on the site of an existing facility in Fernandina Beach.
“Wow, you're in the wrong place,” Tuten said.
That's a sentiment she and members of other local organizations like the Nassau Sierra Club and Fight the Domino Effect, as well as residents like Tom Budd who live right next to the plant, had.
“It makes no sense to be in the middle of a residential area,” Budd said.
Other residents News4JAX spoke to Friday said they were concerned because:
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We don't know what effect bioethanol will have on air quality.
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They wonder if and how it will affect waterways behind the facility.
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I want to know what will happen if a fire breaks out in the facility.
Budd raised these concerns with the facility.
“It's basically corporate fluff. Bits of puff…” Budd said. “They give facts that support their position and cover up the parts that don’t support their position.”
News4JAX has contacted RYAM for comment. They sent back the following response:
“This is a very exciting new project. It will help reduce local air emissions, preserve local jobs and create environmentally friendly alternatives to fossil fuel-based products.”
Others say they're not opposed to a factory being built in Nassau County, but just want more answers.
“That might be enough. Well, if they actually explain the full risk management plan and explain how the ethanol is contained, how it's separated from the chlorine gas, and how they manage fires.” “Maybe if you explain exactly what you plan to do,” Tuten said.
Until that happens, groups are asking residents to sign petitions and write letters to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to help slow things down.
News4JAX also reached out to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the city for comment, but did not receive a response at the time of publication.
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