DOCSLIB.ORG

Argus Cogeneration Expansion Project

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Argus Cogeneration Expansion Project DOCKETED Docket 86-AFC-01C Number: Project Title: Compliance - Application for Certification for the (ACE) Argus Cogeneration Expansion AFC TN #: 204090 Document Title: Argus Cogeneration Expansion Project Decommissioning Staff Analysis Description: N/A Filer: Dale Rundquist Organization: California Energy Commission Submitter Role: Commission Staff Submission 4/8/2015 1:57:01 PM Date: Docketed Date: 4/8/2015 STATE OF CALIFORNIA – NATURAL RESOURCES AGENCY EDMUND G. BROWN JR., Governor CALIFORNIA ENERGY COMMISSION 1516 NINTH STREET SACRAMENTO, CA 95814-5512 www.energy.ca.gov DATE: April 8, 2015 TO: Interested Parties FROM: Dale Rundquist, Compliance Project Manager SUBJECT: Argus Cogeneration Expansion Project (86-AFC-1C) Staff Analysis of Petition to Decommission On November 25, 2014, the ACE Cogeneration Company, LP (ACC), the owner of the Argus Cogeneration Expansion (ACE) Project, filed a petition with the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) requesting to decommission the ACE project. Staff prepared an analysis of this proposed decommissioning that can be reviewed on the Energy Commission website for this facility (see below). The coal-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) 100-megawatt cogeneration project was certified by the Energy Commission as a demonstration project on January 6, 1988. The project demonstrated the CFB combustion system that produced electricity and steam from solid fuels under California’s stringent air emission standards. The Energy Commission approved the conclusion of demonstration activities on June 8, 1994. The ACE project provided electricity to Southern California Edison (SCE) for sale, and steam to the Searles Valley Mineral (SVM) facility for use in its industrial processes. The plant consists of a single, coal-fired CFB boiler and a single steam turbine generator (STG). It was also equipped for supplementary natural gas firing for startup. The project is located on the northwest side of Searles Lake in Trona, San Bernardino County, California. ACC’s existing Power Purchase Agreement with SCE expires in November 2015. Under California’s greenhouse gas emissions requirements, ACE would no longer be economically viable using coal as a fuel after the power purchase agreement expires. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the SCE service territory, ACC signed an agreement with SCE to terminate operation of the ACE project in December 2014. The plant ceased operations as of October 2, 2014, has been placed in an outage condition to secure the facility and minimize environmental hazards (ACE 2014a). Section 20 of the Original Commission Decision for the ACE project requires ACC to prepare and submit a Decommissioning Plan to the Energy Commission for review and approval. California Energy Commission staff (staff) reviewed the petition and assessed the impacts of this proposal on environmental quality and on public health and safety. In the Staff Analysis, staff proposes new Air Quality Conditions of Certification AQ-SC4, AQ-SC5, and AQ-SC6, revised Cultural Resources Conditions of Certification CUL-2 and CUL-3, new Hazardous Materials Conditions of Certification HAZ-1, HAZ-2, HAZ-3, and HAZ-4, new Hazardous Waste Condition of Certification WASTE-11, and new ACE Project Interested Parties April 8, 2015 Page 2 Worker Safety Conditions of Certification WORKER SAFETY-1, WORKER SAFETY-2, and WORKER SAFETY-3. It is staff’s opinion that, with the implementation of these new and revised conditions, in addition to the existing conditions, the ACE project would comply with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards (LORS), and the proposed conditions of certification would not result in any significant, adverse, direct, indirect, or cumulative impacts to the environment (20 Cal. Code of Regs., § 1769). Energy Commission staff intends to recommend approval of the petition at the May 13, 2015 Business Meeting of the Energy Commission. The Energy Commission’s webpage for this facility, http://www.energy.ca.gov/sitingcases/argus/, has a link to the petition and the Staff Analysis on the right side of the webpage in the box labeled “Compliance Proceeding.” Click on the “Documents for this Proceeding (Docket Log)” option. After the Business Meeting, the Energy Commission’s Order regarding this petition will also be available from the same webpage. This notice has been mailed to the Commission’s list of interested parties and property owners adjacent to the facility site. It has also been e-mailed to the facility listserv. The listserv is an automated Energy Commission e-mail system by which information about this facility is e-mailed to parties who have subscribed. To subscribe, go to the Commission’s webpage for this facility, cited above, scroll down the right side of the project webpage to the box labeled “Subscribe,” and provide the requested contact information. Any person may comment on the Staff Analysis. Those who wish to comment on the analysis are asked to submit their comments by 5:00 p.m., May 8, 2015. To use the Energy Commission’s electronic commenting feature, go to the Energy Commission’s webpage for this facility, cited above, click on the “Submit e-Comment” link, and follow the instructions in the on-line form. Be sure to include the facility name in your comments. Once submitted, the Energy Commission Dockets Unit reviews and approves your comments, and you will receive an e‐mail with a link to them. Written comments may also be mailed or hand-delivered to: California Energy Commission Dockets Unit, MS-4 Docket No. 86-AFC-1C 1516 Ninth Street Sacramento, CA 95814-5512 All comments and materials filed with and approved by the Dockets Unit will be added to the facility Docket Log and become publically accessible on the Energy Commission’s webpage for the facility. If you have questions about this notice, please contact Dale Rundquist, Compliance Project Manager, at (916) 651-2072, or by fax to (916) 654-3882, or via e-mail to [email protected]. ACE Project Interested Parties April 8, 2015 Page 3 For information on participating in the Energy Commission's review of the petition, please call the Public Adviser at (800) 822-6228 (toll-free in California) or send your e- mail to [email protected]. News media inquiries should be directed to the Energy Commission Media Office at (916) 654-4989, or by e-mail to [email protected]. Mail List 753 Argus Cogeneration Expansion Listserv ARGUS COGENERATION EXPANSION PROJECT (86-AFC-1C) PETITION TO DECOMMISSION Executive Summary Dale Rundquist INTRODUCTION On November 25, 2014, the ACE Cogeneration Company, LP (ACC), the owner of the Argus Cogeneration Expansion (ACE) Project, filed a petition with the California Energy Commission (Energy Commission) requesting to decommission the ACE project. The coal-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) 100-megawatt cogeneration project was certified by the Energy Commission as a demonstration project on January 6, 1988. The project demonstrated the CFB combustion system that produced electricity and steam from solid fuels under California’s stringent air emission standards. The Energy Commission approved the conclusion of demonstration activities on June 8, 1994. The ACE project provided electricity to Southern California Edison (SCE) for sale, and steam to the Searles Valley Mineral (SVM) facility for use in its industrial processes. The plant consists of a single, coal-fired CFB boiler and a single steam turbine generator (STG). The decommissioning proposed in the petition would result in the power plant and other facilities being demolished and removed and the license being terminated. The purpose of the Energy Commission’s review process is to assess any impacts the proposed decommissioning would have on environmental quality and on public health and safety. The process includes an evaluation of the consistency of the proposed changes with the Energy Commission’s Final Decision and an assessment of whether the project, as modified, would remain in compliance with applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards (20 Cal. Code Regs., § 1769). Energy Commission staff (staff) has completed its review of all materials received. The Staff Analysis below is staff’s assessment of the project owner’s proposal to decommission the ACE project. PROJECT LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION ACE is a 100-megawatt (MW) coal-fired circulating fluidized bed (CFB) cogeneration project, located on the northwest side of Searles Lake in Trona, San Bernardino County, California. The project was certified by the Energy Commission on January 8, 1988, and began commercial operation in January, 1991. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED DECOMMISSIONING Upon the cessation of plant operations at the ACE project on October 2, 2014, the plant was placed in a long-term outage condition to secure the facility and minimize environmental hazards. Prior to the outage, all remaining coal and limestone stored on- site was consumed. April 2015 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY During the outage: all of the remaining ash will be disposed of in the plant’s ash land fill, and the land fill will be closed except for a small portion to be used for later disposal of the refractory lining; all fluids including ammonia for the air emission control system will be drained, returned or disposed of; the plant will be de-energized; and the appropriate plant interconnections to off-site services will be isolated. Decommissioning of ACE involves selling easily removed tools and equipment of no interest to the new buyer of the site, Sabco, Inc (Sabco), dismantling/demolishing the power plant and any other facilities not retained by Sabco, recycling components and materials to the extent possible, hauling off and disposing of the remaining waste, remediating portions of the site if necessary, and cleaning-up the site. The demolition and site clean-up activities will take approximately six months. Following the decommissioning, any equipment and facilities shared with SVM and not to be used by Sabco, such as the coal unloading facility and storage barn, will be turned over to SVM according to separate agreements.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Boiler 26 SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS
    SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS — TRONA, ARGUS and WESTEND FACILITY MDAQMD Federal Operating Permit Number: 90002 MOJAVE DESERT AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT DISTRICT Federal Operating Permit Number: 90002 For: SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS OPERATIONS, INC. Facility: TRONA, ARGUS, AND WESTEND (FACILITIES) Renewed Pursuant to MDAQMD Regulation XII Effective Date: March 14, 2017 This Federal Operating Permit Expires On: March 14, 2022 Issued By: Br., Poiriez Executive Director 14306 PARK AVENUE, VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA 92392 PHONE (760) 245-1661 FAX (760) 245-2022 SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS – TRONA, ARGUS and WESTEND FACILITY MDAQMD Federal Operating Permit Number: 90002 PERMIT REVISIONS This Federal Operating Permit (FOP) is renewed pursuant to Regulation XII- Federal Operating Permits. See Statement of Legal and Factual Basis for a summary of items related to this FOP renewal and an explanation of pertinent applicability determinations made to this FOP during renewal. 2 SEARLES VALLEY MINERALS – TRONA, ARGUS and WESTEND FACILITY MDAQMD Federal Operating Permit Number: 90002 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Permit Revisions ......................................................................................................2 Part I Introductory Information ...................................................................................... I-4 Part II Applicable Requirements and Emissions Limitations .........................................II-9 Part III Monitoring, Recordkeeping, Reporting and Testing Requirements ................ III-32 Part IV Standard Federal Operating
    [Show full text]
  • Safety Background Report
    SAN BERNARDINO COUNTYWIDE PLAN DRAFT PEIR COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO Appendices Appendix G: Safety Background Report June 2019 SAN BERNARDINO COUNTYWIDE PLAN DRAFT PEIR COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO Appendices This page intentionally left blank. PlaceWorks GENERAL PLAN SAFETY TECHNICAL REPORT SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Appendix County of San Bernardino Safety Background Report 4/5/2017 Prepared by: PlaceWorks In Collaboration with Dudek on Fire Hazards This BackgroundDRAFT Report was prepared to inform the Countywide Plan and is not intended to be continuously updated. May 2016 PlaceWorks G1-1 DRAFT G1-2 COUNTYWIDE PLAN SAFETY BACKGROUND REPORT SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY Table of Contents Table of Contents 1. PUBLIC SAFETY CONTEXT ....................................................................................................................... 1-1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1-1 PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION OF REPORT ................................................................ 1-2 REPORT FINDINGS ...................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.3.1 Seismic and Geologic Hazards ......................................................................................... 1-3 1.3.2 Flood Hazards ..................................................................................................................... 1-4 1.3.3 Hazardous Materials ..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Agenda Item 11
    LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO 215 North D Street, Suite 204, San Bernardino, CA 92415-0490 (909) 383-9900 • Fax (909) 383-9901 E-MAIL: [email protected] www.sbclafco.org DATE: JANUARY 13, 2010 FROM: KATHLEEN ROLLINGS-McDONALD, Executive Officer MICHAEL TUERPE, LAFCO Analyst TO: LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION SUBJECT: Agenda Item #11: Service Reviews for the Communities of Indian Wells Valley, Red Mountain, and Searles Valley INITIATED BY: San Bernardino Local Agency Formation Commission INTRODUCTION San Bernardino LAFCO has chosen to undertake its Service Reviews on a regional basis. By action taken in February 2002, the Commission divided the county into five separate regions, with the North Desert Region defined as the territory north of the San Bernardino/San Gabriel Mountains, east of the Los Angeles County line, south of the Inyo County line, and generally west of the Mojave Water Agency boundary. The North Desert region service reviews/sphere of influence updates were originally initiated in November 2004. In the interim, completion of the Service Review program was deferred through consultation with the Commission in order to complete the considerations of the County Fire Reorganization, Formations of the Helendale and Phelan Pinon Hills CSDs, and the Island Annexations for the Cities of Fontana, Loma Linda, and Montclair. In January 2008, LAFCO staff returned to these reviews requesting updated information. This report is for the agencies in the northwestern portion of the county and is unique in a few regards: • First, this report contains service reviews and sphere updates for four distinct communities, however they are organized into one staff report due to their proximity to each other and removed location from the remainder of the county and their interplay with Kern County regional agencies and communities.
    [Show full text]
  • REVISED 2020 Power Source Disclosure Filing
    DOCKETED Docket Number: 21-PSDP-01 Project Title: Power Source Disclosure Program - 2020 TN #: 238715 Document Title: REVISED 2020 Power Source Disclosure Filing Public Redacted version of the 2020 Power Source Disclosure Description: Annual Filing of Direct Energy Business, LLC Filer: Barbara Farmer Organization: Direct Energy Business, LLC Submitter Role: Applicant Submission Date: 7/7/2021 1:51:24 PM Docketed Date: 7/7/2021 Version: April 2021 2020 POWER SOURCE DISCLOSURE ANNUAL REPORT For the Year Ending December 31, 2020 Retail suppliers are required to use the posted template and are not allowed to make edits to this format. Please complete all requested information. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS RETAIL SUPPLIER NAME Direct Energy Business, LLC ELECTRICITY PORTFOLIO NAME CONTACT INFORMATION NAME Barbara Farmer TITLE Reulatory Reporting Analyst MAILING ADDRESS 12 Greenway Plaza, Suite 250 CITY, STATE, ZIP Houston, TX 77046 PHONE (281)731-5027 EMAIL [email protected] WEBSITE URL FOR https://business.directenergy.com/privacy-and-legal PCL POSTING Submit the Annual Report and signed Attestation in PDF format with the Excel version of the Annual Report to [email protected]. Remember to complete the Retail Supplier Name, Electricity Portfolio Name, and contact information above, and submit separate reports and attestations for each additional portfolio if multiple were offered in the previous year. NOTE: Information submitted in this report is not automatically held confidential. If your company wishes the information submitted to be considered confidential an authorized representative must submit an application for confidential designation (CEC-13), which can be found on the California Energy Commissions's website at https://www.energy.ca.gov/about/divisions-and-offices/chief-counsels-office.
    [Show full text]
  • Hains Tech Report for Lithium Project
    HAINS ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE PANAMINT VALLEY LITHIUM PROJECT, PANAMINT VALLEY, CALIFORNIA Prepared for BATTERY MINERAL RESOURCES LIMITED Report for NI 43-101 Effective Date: November 16, 2017 Qualified Person: Donald H. Hains, P.Geo. March 25, 2018 Hains Engineering Company Limited Report Control Form Document Title Technical Report on the Panamint Valley Lithium Project, Panamint Valley, California Client Name & Address Battery Mineral Resources Limited Level 36, Governor Philip Tower, 1 Farrar Place Sydney NSW 2000, Australia Document Reference Status & Project #17-011 Issue No. Version 2 Issue Date March 25, 2018 Lead Author Don Hains (name) (signature & date) Peer Reviewer (name) (signature & date) Project Manager Approval (name) (signature & date) Project Director Approval (name) (signature & date) Report Distribution Name No. of Copies Client 1 pdf Hains Engineering Filing 1 (project box) Hains Engineering Company Limited 2275 lakeshore Blvd. West, Suite 515 Toronto, Ontario M8V 3Y3 Canada Tel: +1 416 971-9783 Fax: +1 416 971-9812 [email protected] HAINS ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Introduction .................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Conclusions ............................................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Businesses Benefiting from ERC Training, March 29, 2011
    Businesses Benefiting from ERC Training PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS Abbot Laboratories Global Occupational Adaptive Materials Inc. Health Services ADCO #1 Installation and Design Abbott Construction Addax Petroleum Development Limited 007 Heating and Air Abbott Diagnostic Division Addax Restoration Inc. 2020 Analytical Abbott Laboratories Adena Health System 2Get Motion Physiotherapy Abbott Northwestern Hospital Adjuster Restoration Services 3 C's Cleanout, LLC Abbott Vascular ADK Properties, LLC 3 E Consultants ABC Delaware Administaff 301 Environmental Aberdeen Area IHS Adolfson and Peterson Construction 32 BJ Funds Aberdeen Proving Grounds ADOSH 3M Corporate Abington Health Lansdale Hospital ADP, Inc. 3M Inter'l Consultancy & Trng Abington Memorial Hospital Adriatic Builders 3M Occupational Health & Abisso Cleanse ADT Security Services Environmental Safety Division Abitibi Consolidated Advance Construction Services 478AESW AbitibiBowater Advance Siding 50 Beale Street Property LLC Above and Beyond Home Repair Advance Technologies 5M Inter'l Consultancy & Training ABS Consulting Advanced Elastomer Systems 61st CST (WMD) AC Corporation Advanced Environmental Services 84 Lumber Company Academy for Educational Development Advanced GeoEnvironmental, Inc. A & D Environmental Academy of Journalism and Advanced Health Resources A & J Home Improvement Communication Advanced Micro Devices A & K Painting Company Acadiana Family Physicians Advance-RGU, Inc. A and B Roofing ACANA Advantage Medical A and L Painting A-Carb, LLC Adventist Health A Clear Alternative, Inc. ACC Environmental Consultants, Inc. Advisys Inc A G S Mora ACC Transportation Advocate Healthcare A M Bailey & Associates Acceleron Pharma, Inc. Advocates for Responsible Disposal in A O Smith Water Products AcceptableRisk Texas A&B Labs Access CardioSystems, Inc. Aearo Technologies / 3M A. A. Boos & Sons Access Medical Clinic AECI A.
    [Show full text]
  • Bulletin of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California
    Bulletin of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California Volume 89 Number 10 - October, 2016 The 938th meeting of the Mineralogical Society of Southern California With Knowledge Comes Appreciation October 14th, 2016 at 7:30 P.M. Pasadena City College Geology Department, E-Building, Room 220 1570 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena In this Issue: TITLE Page Program: The Colors of Topaz: Presented by Dr. George R. Rossman 2 From the Editor: Linda Elsnau 2 Meanderings from the President: Ann Meister 2 Nominations are Open: Ann Meister 3 Minutes of the Sept 9, 2016 Meeting 4 List of Upcoming MSSC Events 5 Minutes of the Sept 18th, 2016 MSSC Board Meeting 6 LA Urban Festival Update: Rudy Lopez 7 2017 Annual MSSC Banquet Info: Rudy Lopez 7 October Field Trip Suggestion: Ann Meister 8 Ride Share Listing 11 Calendar of Events 12 2016 Officers 13 About MSSC 13 2017 MSSC Membership Form 15 Remember: If you change your email or street address, you must let the MSSC Editor and Membership Chair know or we cannot guarantee receipt of future Bulletins About the Program: The Colors of Topaz: Presented by Dr. George R. Rossman Topaz crystals are a favorite of collectors because of their perfect shape, clarity and colors. Topaz is also the basis of a multimillion dollar gem industry based on the transformation of topaz’s color by technological means. To understand minerals and gems, their treatments and synthesis, it is necessary to travel to mines and laboratories around the world to witness, first hand, the true story behind the sparkle and the science.
    [Show full text]
  • Long-Term Rating Placed on Watch with Developing Implications Summary of Rating Action Rationale
    February 27, 2020 Nirma Limited: Long-term rating placed on watch with developing implications Summary of rating action Previous Rated Current Rated Instrument* Amount Amount Rating Action (Rs. crore) (Rs. crore) [ICRA]AA&; rating placed on watch Non-Convertible Debentures 1,000 1,000 with developing implications Commercial Paper 1,500 1,500 [ICRA]A1+; outstanding Programme [ICRA]AA&; rating placed on watch Term Loan 750 750 with developing implications Total 3,250 3,250 *Instrument details are provided in Annexure-1 Rationale ICRA has placed the long-term rating of [ICRA]AA (pronounced as ICRA double A) outstanding on the bank facilities and non-convertible debentures of Nirma Ltd. (Nirma) under rating watch with developing implications. The rating watch with developing implications follows the announcement of Nuvoco Vistas Corporation Limited (NVCL), a Nirma group entity, entering into binding agreement to acquire 100% stake in Emami Cement Limited (ECL). The group is evaluating various debt / equity options for funding the acquisition. ICRA believes that in case Nirma decides to extend financial support to NVCL, it would require to raise additional debt, which could result in an increase in the company’s leverage (debt/OPBDITA) and will push back the anticipated trajectory of improvement in the leveraging levels. As per the management’s plan, Nirma has divested its stake in NVCL to Niyogi Enterprise Pvt. Ltd. (NEPL), a promoter Group entity in FY2020. Hence, the ratings continue to factor in the combined business and financial risk profiles of Nirma and Karnavati Holding Inc., USA. The ratings continue to reflect Nirma's strong competitive position in the commodity chemical space, emanating from its access to cheap raw materials, high level of vertical integration and product diversity.
    [Show full text]
  • Mailed 5/16/2008
    Mailed 5/16/2008 WATER/RSK/AAS:jrb Decision 08-05-008 May 15, 2008 BEFORE THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA Application of Searles Valley Holdings, LLC to sell Application 07-12-004 and Karnavati Holdings, Inc. to buy, (Filed December 10, 2007) the Searles Domestic Water Company (U-368-W) which is located near the community of Trona, San Bernardino County. O P I N I O N Summary This application seeks approval under Public Utilities Code § 854 of a transaction that will transfer control of the Searles Domestic Water Company (SDWC) to Karnavati Holdings, Inc. (Karnavati). The transaction is structured to take effect upon approval of this Commission. The application is unopposed, and is granted. Background SDWC is a Class C California water company engaged in the business of selling water to 905 metered customers. The water system is comprised of one 500,000 storage tank, one pumping station with two pumps to raise the water to the storage tank and distribution pipelines consisting of 163,000 feet of mains in sizes from 1 to 12 inches in diameter. All of the water (approximately 91 million gallons annually) is purchased from Searles Valley Minerals Operations Co. (SVMO). SVMO pumps from 5 wells in the Indian Wells Valley. SDWC 331234 - 1 - A.07-12-004 WATER/RSK/AAS:jrb provides water service to the communities of Argus, Trona, Pioneer Point, South Trona, Westend, and Point of Rocks, all in the unincorporated area of Trona. SDWC was formed in the early 1940s as an outgrowth of commercial operations to recover minerals and chemicals from brine pumped from Searles Lake, a dry lakebed in San Bernardino County.
    [Show full text]
  • Soda Ash 2014
    2014 Minerals Yearbook SODA ASH [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. Department of the Interior November 2015 U.S. Geological Survey SODA ASH By Wallace P. Bolen Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Martha L. Jackson, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator. The U.S. soda ash industry set records for soda ash production in 2014. Based on about 14.5 million metric tons per year and the amount of soda ash exported in 2014. Both measures (Mt/yr) (16 million short tons per year) of total nameplate increased for the fifth consecutive year. In 2014, the demand for production capacity, the U.S. soda ash industry operated at 81% soda ash increased domestically and overseas, but export growth of total capacity. was more robust than domestic consumption growth. The annual In February, 2014 Solvay Chemicals, Inc. announced average unit value of soda ash increased in 2014, but was shy of plans to increase capacity at its Green River, WY, plant by the record high set in 2012. U.S. soda ash exports accounted for 150,000 metric tons per year (t/yr) to 2.95 Mt. This expansion 57% of total domestic production based on export data from the was expected to be completed in 2015 and was part of a 3-year U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. soda ash production was 11.7 million plan to increase the company’s U.S. capacity by 12% including metric tons (Mt) valued at $1.74 billion in 2014 (table 1).
    [Show full text]
  • 2013 Minerals Yearbook BORON [ADVANCE RELEASE]
    2013 Minerals Yearbook BORON [ADVANCE RELEASE] U.S. Department of the Interior July 2015 U.S. Geological Survey BORON Robert D. Crangle, Jr. Domestic survey data and tables were prepared by Christopher H. Lindsay, statistical assistant, and the world production table was prepared by Lisa D. Miller, international data coordinator. In 2013, most of the boron products consumed in the United SVM (a subsidiary of the Indian company Nirma Ltd.) States were manufactured domestically. Two companies produced borax and boric acid from brines containing potassium produced borates in the United States, U.S. Borax, Inc., in and sodium borates that were extracted from three salt layers, Boron, CA, and Searles Valley Minerals Inc., in Trona, CA. U.S. up to 100 meters (m) deep. This deposit is located at Searles consumption of minerals and compounds reported in boric oxide Lake near the town of Trona in San Bernardino County, CA. (B2O3) content increased in 2013; however, quantities were SVM’s Trona and Westend plants refined the brines, producing withheld to avoid disclosing company proprietary data (table 1). anhydrous, decahydrate, and pentahydrous borax. These brines Turkey and the United States were the world’s leading producers also supplied other commercial salts in addition to sodium of boron minerals (table 6). World production of boron minerals borates and boric acid. The Trona plant has a reported capacity increased by 7% in 2013 to an estimated 3.47 million metric of 27,500 t/yr B2O3, and the Westend plant has a reported tons (Mt) compared with 3.23 Mt in 2012 (excluding U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Upper Mojave Desert P
    Upper Mojave Desert P. O. Box 2001, Ridgecrest, CA 93556 Vol. 24 No. 10 December 2009 COME ONE — COME ALL d DEC. 15 d 7 P.M. Please note: half an hour earlier than usual HOLIDAY PARTY TIME at the Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert! " JOIN US for our annual HSUMD Christmas Party. We’ll meet at the Historic USO Building at 7 p.m. (30 minutes earlier than usual) for a bit of tradition and maybe something new. " Come enjoy the fellowship and fun! ? Bring your favorite dessert — plus some Christmas memories — to share with everyone. We’ll play a game or two We’ll furnish the hot cider, dealing with history, with water, and coffee. a nice prize for the winner. By popular demand, the Immanuel Baptist Choir will return to entertain us! — Jim Kenney The Immanuel Baptist Choir at last year’s party Photo by Liz Babcock Vol. 24 No. 10 December 2009 President’s Message The end of the year is rapidly Company’s Coming aproaching, yet there is so much Early in 2010 HSUMD will get the opportunity yet to do! In the midst of all to show off our Historic USO Building and our this, our HSUMD Christmas town’s history to a group of historians from all over meeting will occur on Tuesday the state of California. night, Dec. 15. See the front Thanks to some hard work by our friends at the page for details. M All membership renewals Searles Valley Historical Society, the Conference of are due on Jan.
    [Show full text]