Quasar Energy Group Has East Fultonham Up In Arms

An energy group based out of Cleveland Ohio has the community of East Fultonham up in arms.

Quasar Energy Group is located at 6400 Maysville Pike and uses “advanced anaerobic digestion technology to recycle energy from organic waste.” The different materials being broken down creates a foul smell which is greatly noticed around the community. The company breaks down processed sewage sludge, grease trap, and food waste. During a meeting about the matter Wednesday, residents said that it is disruptive to their daily lives. Biomass Account Executive Nate Carr explained more about one of the causes of the smell.

“About a month ago we did field application of our product that we call Equate.” Said Carr, “That’s a nutrient fertilizer soil supplement product and it resulted in some odor complaints that we received via the EPA.”

The standard land applications are a liquid product that contain nutrients which are good for the soil. They are injected and are then tilled into the ground by farm equiptment. Carr addressed a less common example which is also to blame for the unpleasant smell.

“What we recently did was a digester clean out which is the first one that we’ve done at this facility.” Explained Carr. “Usually we do a digester clean out once every five years because in the bottom of our tanks, over time, we build up sand and grit. The materials that are heavier and go to the bottom and that don’t turn into gas.”

Those materials are then applied to the soil and are tilled in. One solution to the problem included the possibility of completing land applications during the winter months to cut back on the strong odors. Carr said the purpose of the meeting was to answer any questions that the community may have, minimize odor impacts, and develop a good working relationship with area residents. Carr said eliminating odors completely is not a possibility. If you have concerns regarding this issue, you are encouraged to contact the company.