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Why Not Here?

No Ethanol Fernandina recognizes the efficacy of ethanol as an alternative fuel source, but we are against manufacturing it adjacent to a densely populated residential area on Amelia Island and along the environmentally sensitive Amelia River.
It is simply too dangerous.

Ethanol is highly flammable

Ethanol is highly flammable and carries substantial risk of accidental fires and explosions by producing it within a manufacturing site that already processes large quantities of other extremely hazardous and highly reactive chemicals.
 

Ethanol can vaporize into a dangerous gas at any temperature above 57 degrees Fahrenheit. Flammable ethanol vapors can travel along the ground, be ignited by a spark, and the resulting fire can flash back to the source of the ethanol vapor leak. There are many potential sources of spark in close proximity to the proposed ethanol manufacturing site. 

 

RYAM submitted a "purported" Project Risk Assessment that is based on faulty assumptions that render its conclusions unreliable, such as erroneous ambient air temperatures leading to underestimation of ethanol vaporization rates.  

 

We also believe the purported risk assessment is flawed in how it models the risk of fires and explosions of individual plant components and in its inadequate discussion some of its findings from its risk modelling.  

 

We also believe the purported risk assessment is incomplete because (1) it contains no probability estimates for the hazards it assesses, (2) it fails to assess the risk that the hazards it assesses may occur simultaneously, and (3) it is stated to be incomplete.  The document states "Naldeo Technologies & Industries (the firm that conducted the study) will provide a full report at the end of the study."  No full report is included in RYAM's application.

 

In short, it is not a complete and comprehensive risk assessment and as such it gives the public the false impression that the proposed plant is safe when its safety has not yet been properly assessed.   

Ethanol is harmful to aquatic life

Ethanol presents environmental concerns, particularly in the event of a spill. If ethanol enters water systems, it can reduce oxygen levels, which harms aquatic life.

Ethanol produces dangerous air emissions

Ethanol plants can be linked to air pollution, especially if proper mitigation measures are not in place. Hazardous air pollutants such as benzene and acetaldehyde could potentially be released into the environment, posing risks to both residents and wildlife. Additionally, facilities such as these play a role in contributing to global greenhouse gas emissions, accelerating the devastating effects of climate change. Source: The Environmental Integrity Project

Ethanol creates additional safety risks on our roads

If the facility is constructed, three tanker trucks a day (over 1000 a year) will cut through a dense residential area, then travel the busy commercial route through our city, across the Shave Bridge, and over the busiest roads in Nassau County to I-95.

 

The US Department of Transportation recommends evacuation zones as wide as a 1/2 mile in all directions from the site of any tanker truck incident involving ethanol.

RYAM has demonstrated a lack of due diligence on these dangers

RYAM’s proposal is silent on the need to plan for evacuations in the city and county.  

      

​RYAM’s accuracy in the level of pollutants they expect to be emitted to the air, ground and water has been questioned by chemical experts.

RYAM claims its ethanol manufacturing is not a “chemical” process

RYAM says its ethanol production process is a "fermentation" process and not a "chemical" process, and therefore is allowable under the City's CP and LDC.

CONTACT US

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Fernandina Wins, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit Corporation DBA No Ethanol Fernandina and has applied for 501(c)3 Federal tax exemption.   REGISTRATION #: CH75795A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.  
 

The toll-free number is 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352), and the website is FDACS.gov.

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