August trial set for Newport recycling plant with history of explosions, fires
A trial of misdemeanor noise charges filed against River Metals Recycling of Newport in Campbell County District Court has been delayed until Aug. 14.
The trial involving the plant with reoccurring explosions and fires was set to begin Friday.
A status hearing in a civil lawsuit filed by a Newport resident against River Metals Recycling in Campbell County Circuit Court was also set for Friday. It is scheduled to proceed as planned.
The resident sued River Metals Recycling in 2020, saying the value of his home has been damaged by noise, vibrations and odors coming from the plant at 1220 Licking Pike.
Newport City Manager Tom Fromme said the city filed criminal noise charges against River Metals Recycling two years later after a sound barrier wall erected by the company in 2021 failed to remedy problems.
Here's what you need to know.
What is River Metals Recycling?
River Metals Recycling turns scrap metal into steel. The business along the Licking River buys aluminum, copper, brass, iron and steel scrap, including old laptops and junked cars.
It is one of 15 scrap metal recycling facilities that River Metals Recycling, headquartered in Fort Mitchell, operates in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and West Virginia.
A location in South Fairmount was the scene of an explosion and large fire in 2018.
River Metals Recycling is owned by the David J. Joseph Company, which is headquartered on Pike Street in Cincinnati's Downtown neighborhood. The company is part of Nucor of Charlotte, North Carolina, which manufactures steel and steel products.
What were the issues with River Metals Recycling in Newport?
River Metals Recycling has been the site of explosions and fires for years. Newport City Commissioner Ken Rechtin and leaders of the Clifton Neighborhood Association in Newport said in an email that problems are escalating.
Explosions numbered 47 in 2020, 62 in 2021, 51 in 2022 and six so far this year, they said.
They also said there have been five fires at River Metals Recycling since Feb. 7 and that the sound barrier wall the plant claimed would reduce noise by 85% "only serves to keep residents from seeing the many smaller fires resulting from those explosions."
The most recent fire reported happened April 15.
What is the Clifton Neighborhood Association's role in this?
The neighborhood association began lobbying several years ago for River Metals Recycling and associated companies to address problems at the Newport plant and to modernize equipment there.
The association enlisted the help of city and environmental officials.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency conducted an on-site Clean Air Act inspection of River Metals Recycling in Newport in March 2019, according to regional spokesperson Davina Marraccini.
"EPA cannot discuss the specifics of any ongoing enforcement," she said.
Marraccini referred questions about state inspections, findings and enforcement actions at River Metals Recycling to the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.
The department is part of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet.
Spokesman John Mura said the cabinet has a history of inspections with River Metals Recycling in Newport, the most recent being from December 2018 through last November.
The Enquirer has filed records requests with both agencies for the results of their inspections.
What does River Metals Recycling have to say?
River Metals Recycling in Newport declined through a representative to comment for this story. River Metals Recycling corporate headquarters and Nucor did not respond to requests for comment.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Noise trial set for Newport recycling plant beset by explosions, fires
