City approves anhydrous tank
Residents have mixed feelings on proposal
ByApril Baumgarten
Enerbase Agronomy has the green light to put an anhydrous ammonia tank near Hazen.
While farmers are glad to have the “much-needed” agronomy center, some residents are not happy about it.
“The railroad has been here for years, but I don’t think it makes any sense to add more hazardous material and say, ‘We already have hazardous material. Let’s add more,’” Hazen resident Bill Swanson said. “I don’t get that logic.”
After an hour of debate the Hazen City Commission unanimously passed the zoning change and conditional use permit for the Washburn company. Approximately 40 acres south of the railroad tracks will change from agriculture to industrial for the agronomy center. The city expects to annex the land into city limits.
Almost 50 people listened to arguments for and against the proposal. Advocates claim the facility will bring business to Hazen and give farmers a closer option for anhydrous used for fertilizer.
“To me it is a sign of vitalitiy of life in our community when we have new businesses that want enhance and carry on what has been here,” said Bill Wagner, who live a half-mile from the site. “I think my chances of being injured were greater walking across the street tonight than would be having that tank moved from the 150 yards from where it is.”
