Smelting Operations, Air Pollution and Taxes

The REC Silicon smelter in Moses Lake, Washington has been ordered by the Washington State Department of Ecology to reduce its atmospheric pollution levels.

These gases include:

• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrous oxide
• Methane
• Hydrofluorocarbon
• Perfluorinated compounds
• Sulfur hexafluoride
• Nitrogen trifluoride

Smelting operations reported by the company are 140,681 and 150,819 metric tons of the gases being produced each year.

These figures do not represent anything else (hundreds of thousands of tons of sand being delivered by rail), transportation of final products, delivered fuels, chemicals and gases. The real number of atmospheric pollution is considerably higher.

The REC facility in Moses Lake had previously shut down a portion of its operation due to competition from China. Now, REC is challenging the tax assessment land values with Grant County.

The lesson here for Pend Oreille County residents is the revenue expectations for the County and the proposed production / job creation from the smelter isn't going to be a breath of fresh air for Pend Oreille County residents at all. In fact, the rising levels of pollutants, toxins and gases that will be released will have a direct effect upon health, wildlife and the soil / air / water quality.

Here's a sample of what happens when air pollution levels trigger lawsuits from a smelter - this is a story that has been repeated all of the world and in America by the way. The whole concept of "responsibility" and "avoidance" are glaringly absent.

Note that the word oft-used for environmental pollution is the word "reduced" in the available documentation on silicon smelting operations, including the REC facility. This is gobblygook speak to deflect detailed inquiry on exactly what toxins are used or produced, which include Carbon Monoxide, Hydrogen, Sulfur Hexaflouride (SF6), Silicon Tetrafluoride (SiF4), Sulfur Difluoride (SF2), Silane (SIH4), Tetrafluorosilane (SIF4), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2).

The REC facility has published more details here about (some) of the gases it produces as part of its operations.

These are the material safety data sheets for the REC smelter in Moses Lake. The Usk smelter would have the same hazards:

Silane (pdf files)
Polycrystalline Silicon
Disilane
Monochlorosilane
Dichlorosilane

The proposed smelting operation by HiTest Sand, Inc. in Usk will undoubtedly have an impact on property tax values too for residents in the area. My expectation would be to see property taxes increase (they're already far too high) due to the expected increase in the local population, house sales and any residential construction that might occur.

This is a photo of the REC smelter:

Not everyone in Moses Lake / Grant County is happy about "their smelter" either or what it's done for their community including the visible light pollution at night.

I'll say this again:

All smelting operations, no matter what kind or what process they utilize, or how advanced they may be, produce significant amounts of toxic wastes, byproducts and fugitive emissions (escaped gasses and fumes). They also produce excessive amounts of dangerous dust (to humans and wildlife) and harmful particulates during operation. Some byproducts are sold, others are not and can be stored onsite in unprotected pits. Extremely dangerous chemicals are also used, which will have to delivered by commercial transport through our communities. Accidents / spills / shutdown are COMMON with smelting operations.

There are many dangerous chemicals used and created by modern silicon smelters, such as trichlorosilane. Trichlorosilane is then distilled to remove remaining impurities, which typically include chlorinated metals of aluminum, iron, and carbon. It is finally heated or reduced with hydrogen to produce silane (SIH4) gas.

The byproduct of polysilicon production - silicon tetrachloride - is a highly toxic substance that poses severe environmental hazards. When exposed to humid air, silicon tetrachloride transforms into acids and poisonous hydrogen chloride gas, which can make people who breathe the air dizzy and can make their chests contract.

Illness and disease surround these type of operations, including pulmonary fibrosis, cancers (lung, stomach, colon, prostate, liver, pancreatic, etc.) with incidents rise 1.5 to 1.7 times the normal rate.

Pend Oreille County residents need to understand the risks that are being proposed. County officials appear to be completely oblivious and ignorant of what these operations really entail, or how competition from China could derail their dreams of additional revenue for the County.

Ruining our air, water and soil for a handful of proposed jobs is just plain stupid. Asking us to shoulder an even greater tax burden is downright criminal.