DHEC holds public input meeting on increased emission permit for Century Aluminum

GOOSE CREEK, S.C. (WCBD) – Tuesday night, Goose Creek residents shared their input on Century Aluminum emissions at a meeting hosted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

DHEC asked for public input on whether to approve a permit for the Century Aluminum plant to increase sulfur dioxide emissions by about 50%.

They also announced they are drawing up an enforcement action against Century Aluminum in Mount Holly.

According to Robert Mahoney with the DHEC Bureau of Air Quality, two Century permits have been on public notice for over 30 days. One permit is for construction, and the other is for operation. Century is requesting permits that would allow the plant to emit about 50% more sulfur dioxide in the air.

“Century is not seeking to add any additional smelting lines or add any production of the existing two smelting lines with this permit action,” Mahoney clarified.

DHEC originally allowed the permit’s sulfur dioxide limits in 2023, which remain in effect. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told DHEC that more public meetings were required to approve a new permit, given that the original permit did not include enough information.

“Any industry that wishes to increase pollution to increase production rather than modernize is any industry that is going to fail,” said Jeffrey Whitehead, a resident against the permit approval.

Another resident voiced their disapproval for the permit.

“and to continue to do things the way they’ve been done in the past, I would ask that the Department of Health and Environmental Control reconsider,” Nathan McMillan said.

Mahoney briefly mentioned the enforcement actions now underway against Century but did not provide details about the actions. A resolution detailing the ongoing enforcement actions is expected soon.