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Magnablend contamination continues to get worse

PRESS RELEASE

January 25, 2012

Contact:

Magnablend, Inc.
Scott Pendery
972-938-2028

For Immediate Release

Following an unprecedented storm that brought nearly six inches of rain to the Waxahachie area in less than 24 hours, storm runoff from Magnablend’s Central Facility, along with some of the water held within containment ponds near the facility property was released into a nearby creek.

As the containment ponds reached maximum capacity, storm water runoff was diverted around the ponds to help maintain their structural integrity. Even with this action, an unknown quantity of containment water overflowed the boundaries of the ponds.

“Despite contingency planning and substantial investments in water diversion and containment capacities, this was a massive rainfall that exceeded the infrastructures we have had in place,” said Magnablend CEO Scott Pendery.

“We have ordered water analysis by a third-party environmental contractor, and have already contacted the TCEQ and the City of Waxahachie, and are working with them to determine what, if any, additional actions need to be taken,” Pendery said.

“As the storm runoff recedes we will continue our work on cleaning the Central Facility property and the affected containment pond property.”

Magnablend, Inc.
Magnablend, Inc. produces products for use in various industries, primarily agriculture, oil and gas, water treatment, and others. More information about the company can be found at www.magnablend.com.

326 North Grand Avenue Waxahachie, Texas 75165

Phone: (972) 938-2028 Website: www.magnablend.com

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25 January 2012

Category: Magnablend Media Coverage

Waxahachie neighbors fight plans to relocate chemical plant to Super Collider site after fire

Environmental writer, Randy Lee Loftis, reported in a January 14, 2012 article in the Dallas Morning News about resident opposition to Magnablend's relocation plans to the old SSC property. He also covers confusion by the EPA and TCEQ during the October 3, 2011 fire at Magnablend's Central Facility.

Here are a few excerpts from the article:

"Three months after a Waxahachie chemical plant burned, sending flames and smoke into the air and onto news reports nationwide, Magnablend Corp.’s relocation plan has stirred strong neighborhood opposition."

"Neighbors are fighting to keep Magnablend out of a now-quiet community, which comes complete with a dairy farm, as well as more than 200,000 square feet of building space the collider project left behind."

"A state check of other Magnablend facilities in Waxahachie uncovered some low-level air violations, but a larger enforcement review is still under way."

"Emails and memos reveal confusion and incomplete state and federal records after the fire broke out around 10:30 a.m."

"Opponents also are angry that Ellis County commissioners are considering increasing the weight limit on a road to the proposed relocation site, opening it to bigger trucks, and that commissioners have already dropped a deed restriction that might have blocked the chemical plant."

Click here to read the entire article by Randy Lee Loftis.

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16 January 2012

Category: Magnablend Media Coverage

WFAA: Chemical fire spawns fish kill, criminal investigation

Investigative reporter Brett Shipp with WFAA reported on December 2, 2011 about a massive fish kill in a pond where toxic chemicals ran into from the October 3, 2011 Magnablend fire.

We obtained hundreds of documents through an open records request with the TCEQ and have made them available here. These documents provide undeniable proof of the information Shipp reported regarding the massive fish kill and the numerous documents also show other alarming information.

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Media Resource Archive

The following is a collection of various media resources that covered Magnablend, Inc. in Waxahachie, Texas (Ellis County).

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Magnablend Cleanup Update

The following is a December 12, 2011 press release by Magnablend:

WAXAHACHIE, Texas -- Magnablend is completing construction of a proactive measure to control surface water runoff onto the company’s Central Facility property in Waxahachie, Texas.

A bypass system will carry water from excess rainfall around the Magnablend property, from a weir system north of the property on Highway 287 to the creek south of the property. The pipeline and pump construction is nearly finished, according to Magnablend Technical Director Kristopher Megahan.

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Waxahachie chemical plant fire health claims still burning

The following is an article excerpt from Brett Ship with WFAA on November 21, 2011.

The only set back, according to plant owners, occurred when a couple of heavy rains mixed with chemical runoff, creating ponds in places. It created some algae blooms and what they term, "foul odors."

But what residents who live near the plant say they've been smelling is worse than "foul."

Just a few yards from their homes you'll find pits of chemical waste, pumped out of public view, which not only looks and smells bad, they say it's making them sick.

"The most noted thing were are hearing about has been lethargy, respiratory issues, severe headaches that all go along those lines,” said Bryan Thomas, an upset resident who lives a few blocks from the burned plant. "What's worse, you can still smell it."

Thomas said he and his neighbors do not trust city or government officials who are telling them that what they are seeing and smelling is safe.

To read the full article click: http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/Waxahachie-chemical-plant-fire-health-claims-still-burning-134287158.html

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22 November 2011

Category: Magnablend Media Coverage