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Town hall set as residents say plant’s fixes fall short
“Despite a $40,000 fine, it doesn’t seem to have curbed anything.”
— Joy Casnovsky, Ward 1 councilwoman
Residents along the route between Elgin and Bastrop say a foul odor from a local rendering plant is getting worse, despite state fines and the company’s promises to fix the problem.
Darling Ingredients, just off of Texas 95 near Camp Swift, processes animal byproducts into materials such as pet food and gelatin. The process emits hydrogen sulfide, a gas that smells of rotten eggs and has grown so disturbing that neighbors are reportedly being forced indoors after dozens of complaints.
“It’s increasingly gotten worse over the years,” said Elgin Councilwoman Joy Casnovsky, whose ward is closest to the site. “Elgin’s a growing community, and we don’t want people investing their time, family and lives here only to find out, ‘wow, it smells half the time and I can’t be outside to enjoy my property — my family — or the parks.’” Darling, operating in the area since the 1950s, was fined nearly $40,000 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) last year. Hydrogen sulfide emissions were recorded at five times the legal limit, according to agency documents, exposing locals and the environment to significant amounts of pollutants.
In response, the company submitted an odor control plan to the state and officials said it has invested in new equipment and system upgrades to better control the smell. Inspections by both the company and third party regulators have shown no hydrogen sulfide detected beyond the facility’s property, according to General Manager Mike McCuin.
“We are constantly and consistently trying to be as good as a neighbor as we possibly can,” McCuin said. “There is no way to do rendering without creating an odor. But we really and truly want to keep that odor on this property.”
McCuin said he personally investigates complaints filed against Darling. He acknowledged the plant has been the source of odors at times, but often traces the stench to wastewater and septic systems in the area.
“I encourage the community to call me directly. I’ve got multiple people that text me when they smell a rendering odor or what they think is a rendering odor,” McCuin said. “Every time I get a text or a call from one of these people I go and investigate.”
Casnovsky is hosting a town hall Wednesday, Sept. 24, to present the issue and its widespread effects. She said the meeting looks to press regulators and hold the company accountable.
“Despite a $40,000 fine, it doesn’t seem to have curbed anything,” she said. “I question whether the company really wants to be a good neighbor or if they’re just writing this off as part of doing business.”
The town hall is set for 6 p.m. at the Elgin Civic Center, 404 N. Main St. Topics will cover the status of TCEQ’s enforcement actions, and how to submit odor complaints and community concerns.
