Koch rep meets with FD ag committee
The federal cap and trade bill, which was approved by the House in 2009, would, if it becomes law, place mandatory limits on the emissions of green house gases, and could adversely affect an extremely vulnerable fertilizer market.
That comment was made last week by Shawn Campbell, engineering leader, reliability engineer for Koch Nitrogen Co. LLC, while speaking to members of the Fort Dodge Area Chamber of Commerce’s agriculture committee.
Campbell provided the ag committee with a background on the international company, as well as, what has been happening with the company on a local level.
“Koch companies believe in the efficient use of all resources and are absolutely committed to maintaining a clean and healthy environment,” said Campbell. “But we also believe there should be open and honest debate about the likely effects of proposed climate policies on the energy that drives the productivity of our society.”
Campbell went on to further explain that prior to cap and trade, Koch already possessed a strong commitment to the environment.
“Koch Nitrogen is committed to operating in a manner that protects the health and safety of employees, the public and the environment,” Campbell said. “We continually strive to improve environmental performance by reducing waste and increasing process efficiency.”
Koch, together with its affiliates, Campbell said, are one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of nitrogen fertilizers.
Koch is an indirect subsidiary, along with Koch Mineral Services LLC, of Koch Industries Inc., based in Wichita, Kan. It’s also one of the largest privately held companies in America.
Campbell said the company has four nitrogen production facilities in the U.S., including the plant west Fort Dodge, plus six other facilities in the state not to mention having a presence in six continents across the world.
Locally, Campbell said, the Fort Dodge production facility currently employs 47 people where anhydrous ammonia and urea ammonium nitrate is produced.
Just over the last five years, the plant has benefited in over $52 million in enhancements.
Those enhancements, he said, include equipment replacements, general upkeep, well improvements and major turnarounds, which, he added, result in a complete shutdown of the plant during the upgrades.
Contact Kriss Nelson at jknelson@frontiernet.net.