Politics & Government

Public Meeting Set with Norfolk Southern to Answer Questions About Ethanol Transloading Facility

Area residents have complained about the facility.

A representative from Norfolk Southern announced Friday that the public is invited to meet next week with representatives from the company to find out about the company's ethanol transloading facility at 1000 S. Van Dorn Street.

Residents in Alexandria's West End have complained about late-night noise from the facility as well as fears about the potential dangers of ethanol spills as well as discussion of increasing the amount of ethanol being handled at the facility.

The meeting is set for Tuesday, from 7-9 p.m. at the Hilton Hotel Mark Center, 5000 Seminary Road in Alexandria. An open house will precede the meeting, from 6-7 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The meeting is an opportunity for residents to learn about the facility, potential enhancements and the safety of operations, the company said in a news release. The facility is where the company transloads ethanol from train to truck, for delivery to local gasoline blending facilities.

The city requested the meeting following Norfolk's application last year for an air permit from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in anticipation of the company possibly handling a larger volume of ethanol at the facility, a spokeswoman said. 

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The DEQ subsequently determined that a permit was not needed, but the city wanted Norfolk Southern to meet with the community to answer questions about its operations. 

This city’s Web site has more background here.


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