Aug. 22--MIDDLETOWN -- A crowd of about 90 people from across Butler County had one general question in mind to pose the Ohio EPA on the proposed SunCoke coke oven facility to be built in Middletown: What about our health?

Attention centered at the public hearing held Thursday, Aug. 21, at Miami University Middletown on the "netting" process, which would allow AK Steel Corp. to use the credits it earned by reducing emissions from closing down its sintering plant at Middletown Works in June 2003 and additional boiler changes to cover emissions from the SunCoke facility.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency is considering AK Steel and the proposed $340 million coke-making and heat recovery co-generation plant as one entity while reviewing the permit because AK will be the soul purchaser of the coke. This means AK's credits could be used for the increased emissions to be produced by SunCoke, said Paul Tedtman of the Ohio EPA.

But the netting process has a limitation of five years from the cutback in emissions to the beginning of construction, which has yet to take place, said Chris Walker, an attorney hired by Monroe to review the permit.

Because five years already has lapsed, Walker said the credits cannot legally be considered, and said the permit should be denied.

It has taken years for AK Steel and other businesses to reduce emissions and improve the air quality in the area, said Gayla Epure of Fairfield Twp., but the EPA would allow that to be wiped away by the coke facility.

"The air just does not stay in Middletown," she said. "What is being done here can be done anywhere in Butler County." However, the EPA is attesting that overall "you're still seeing an improvement in air quality even with the addition of this plant compared to what we were seeing in 2003."

Other issues addressed included:

QUESTION: Will coal piles be covered?

ANSWER: The Ohio EPA said it is not stipulated the piles be covered, but dampened to reduce dust rolling. Residents asked that the coal be in storage units to prevent blowing dust.

Q: Will there be monitoring?

A: The Ohio EPA said it has established several monitors across the area where emissions have the highest impact. Data is collected every six days.

Residents urged inclusion of Amanda Elementary School and Garden Manor Nursing Home. Also, they would like the facility to be open to public surveillance and cameras to ensure emission standards are met.

Q: What about Dicks Creek?

A: This permit does not deal with Dicks Creek.