With the number of people concerned about a potential data center near Charleston, one might have expected several to attend a public hearing on the closure of an industrial waste site in that same area.
Yet, except for Olin Corporation and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation representatives, and three local government officials, the remainder of attendees was almost non-existent.
The public hearing was to outline the post-closure care, monitoring and maintenance of a hazardous waste landfill on the Olin Charleston plant property. It was also to seek comments and concerns from the public about the closure of that site.
Josh Spahn, Olin plant manager, gave a history of the site.
“TDEC is here to cover this post-closure permit. TDEC issued the original permit back in 1980 for the hazardous waste landfill at Charleston’s manufacturing [plant]. It was used to provide storage for mercury-containing solid waste generated,” he explained. “An air-supported bridge structure, also known as a dome, was constructed over the top landfill in 1986.
“In 2022, Olin began closure discussions with the State of Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation team. Closure of the hazardous waste landfill began in April 2025 and completed earlier this year.”
Spahn said Olin is not requesting a new landfill permit, but one that addresses the post closure care for the existing landfill.
“And I would like to clarify that closure of this landfill is in now way connected or has any affiliation with Project River,” he said.
No one in the audience spoke during the time allotted for public comments. Both Charleston Mayor David Lattimore and newly elected 2nd District County Commissioner Terry Murray, who were in attendance, said their questions had been answered prior to the presentation.
No comments were forthcoming from those attending the presentation online, but there is still time to voice any concerns by submitting those comments to TDEC until Sept. 22.
Those comments may be mailed to Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Hazardous Waste Program Manager, Division of Land Protection, Waste Management Division Branch, ATTN: Brett Harris, Davy Crockett Tower, 7th Floor, 500 James Robertson Parkway, Nashville TN 37243. Or they may be emailed to Harris at Brett.Harris@tn.gov.