000463 IBP Signs Deal With EPA On Air Pollution

Dakota Dunes, SD - IBP Inc. said it signed an agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to improve air quality around its Dakota City, Nebraska, plant.

IBP agreed to add more air-monitoring equipment near its Dakota City waste water treatment system. Nine additional monitors will be installed, complementing 19 others already in use in the South Sioux City and Dakota City areas, it said.

“We welcome the opportunity to confirm the effectiveness of the state-of- the-art emission control system we began installing last month,” said IBP chairman Robert Peterson.

"While outside experts tell us the existing monitors are adequate, we have agreed to install more.

“This is another demonstration of our commitment to the environment and our desire to resolve the concerns of the community and government,” Peterson added.

In January, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit against IBP alleging the Dakota City plant illegally spewed uncontrolled amounts of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide for more than five years. IBP denied the charges and claimed government bureaucracy had held up its anti-pollution efforts.

Friday's agreement does not affect the Justice Department lawsuit. But IBP spokesman Gary Mickelson said IBP was also in discussions with Justice to try to settle the suit.

IBP last month won Nebraska approval to build three new covered lagoons and other anti-pollution improvements after what it said was more than two years of government delays.

Construction of the lagoons and other improvements is expected to be complete by November. The $13 million project should sharply reduce hydrogen sulfide emissions from IBP's waste water treatment system and tannery, it said.

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