Benson Residents Frustrated About Proposed Aluminum Recycling Plant

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): An aluminum recycling plant could start construction in Benson soon, but residents are frustrated over the prospect of the industrial project.

The city of Benson has expressed enthusiasm over the 200-acre plant bringing economic development and job opportunities. But nearly 1,000 people have signed an online petition to oppose the plant.

13 News spoke to Benson resident Stephen Moran, who said he is very frustrated.

“They’re going to have a 50-foot-tall building right on the highway, their cooling towers are going to be 100 feet tall,” Moran said. “What do you think that’s going to look like? There it is, put that, impose that on that area, and it drastically changes the area.”

Moran said that many in Benson feel blindsided over not knowing about the project, and claimed that the city did not do an adequate job of informing people of the project.

“I’m not blaming anybody, but this did fly under the radar,” Moran said. “Now we’re aware, so we want everyone to know so everyone in this community can have a voice.”

They’re concerned about the environmental impacts of the 24/7 plant, which would be operated by Mississippi-based Aluminum Dynamics.

Based on the company’s permit application to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the company projects emitting over 10 tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants every year and using 5,000 gallons of water per minute for their cooling towers.

“That doesn’t include the rest of the water usage on this plant,” Moran added. “Those are concerns in a community that struggles with water. We’re in a drought. There are a lot of areas here where water’s hard to come by.”

As the city of Benson waits for ADEQ to give its permit decision, once it is granted, construction of the plant can begin. The construction could bring thousands of construction jobs.

Benson City Manager Greg Volker told 13 News that the project will bring a promising economic opportunity.

“Once the facility is built, it will bring 90 jobs, and they’re looking to hire people from Benson, St. David, Pomerene, Willcox, from the local area because they want them invested in the business here,” Volker said. “These jobs, I’ve been told, will pay upwards of $90,000 a year.”

Volker said he understands some residents in the area are upset over the plant and encourages them to share their concerns.

“I encourage individuals to go and have their questions answered,” Volker said. “Aluminum Dynamics will have personnel and people that can answer those questions, and that’s some of the questions ADEQ wants to know as well.”

While Moran understands the economic promise of the project, he disagrees that the plant would be good for the city.

“Economic development versus a rural lifestyle?” Moran added. “People don’t move up here so they can live next to an aluminum processing plant.”

13 News was told by Moran that an ADEQ permit meeting and public hearing has been scheduled for Monday, July 28, and many will be making their concerns known.

Courtesy: www.kold.com