Document nm4w7Qrrxd403EGbKvO0JzkrR

j?lalf of Npu) 3l?ranj DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY JOHN FITCH PLAZA. P. O. BOX 2807. TRENTON. N. J. 08625 April 6, 1977 Mr. A. R. Webber, Plant Manager B.F. Goodrich Chemical Co. P.O. Box 400 Pedricktown, New Jersey 08067 Dear Mr. Webber: This is in response to your letter of February 14, 1977 to Commissioner David J. Bardin. In that letter you discussed several actions of the Bureau of Air Pollution Control regarding pollution from the B.F. Goodrich Plant. First, let me address the issue relating to the incident that occurred at your facility during October, 1976. Our investigation on October 21, 1976 disclosed that a malfunction in the Mass Resin and Pearl Paste manufacturing area caused emissions of polyvinyl chloride powder to the extent that such emissions were visible on the property owned by nearby residents. This incident prompted the Bureau of Air Pollution Control to issue a $500 Notice of Prosecution. Discussion between the company and the Bureau led to an agreement to settle the matter by having the company prepare an acceptable preventative plan and incorporating such plan into a legally enforceable Amended Order. The discrepancy in this area lies in the manner by which the Bureau is willing to settle this matter and does not lie with the proposal itself. The method of incorporating settle ments in Amended Orders is a standard practice of the Bureau and is the proper method in this case. The January 18, 1977 incident involving a fire and explosion of a reactor in the polymerization manufacturing area caused nearby residents to become alarmed and call us. The letter from Mr. Londres explained the type of malfunctions that you should be reporting to us and the proper phone numbers for such reporting. Any inferences beyond this were not intended. In reference to any remarks to the press, I can only say that we try to respond to the press in an open and honest manner. Sometimes our remarks and comments are not reported as ac curately as we would like or in the proper context. /V e*> 0- J* BFG63940 I - '2 ) It was unfortunate that Mr. Londres was not available for the February 8, 1977 meeting with representatives of your company. Mr. Londres keeps a busy schedule and an urgent matter re quiring his presence came up unexpectedly concurrent with your meeting. Much of our achievement in the field of environmental control has been the result of cooperative negotiations with the industrial community. The spirit of cooperation that has been evident in our past relations with your company is regarded as a valuable asset in the effort to provide clean air for the citizens of New Jersey. We appreciate your expression of intent to work with us in the future on environmental matters and assure you we will do our part. Any misunderstandings from the events cited snould not hamper these efforts. Very truly yours, cc: Herbert Wortreich Edward J. Londres Paul H. Arbesman Director BFG63941 C'l O S3