VOLNEY, NY – The lingering smell plaguing Volney and Fulton residents from a slow burning silo fire at the abandoned Attis Ethanol Plant is finally about to be over; Oswego County Legislature Chairman James Weatherup announcing today, Monday, October 24, an emergency legislative order to extinguish the smoldering headache.
For several months, rancid smoke from the silo has slowly secreted into the air, alarming and disturbing Volney and Fulton residents alike. Weatherup said Attis has remained non-compliant in addressing the situation.
Weatherup and members of the Oswego County Legislature held a press conference outside the Attis plant today to discuss eradication of the silo fire.
Other representatives at today’s event included New York State Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels, along with city and county officials.
Weatherup began thanking people who had a significant role in making today’s emergency order possible, including Oswego County Attorney Rich Mitchell, the Oswego County Fire Coordinators Office, and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) who monitored the situation for months “to ensure the smoke was not a health hazard.”
“Today is a new beginning for a site that has sat vacant for more than two years, and for even longer has not lived up to its full potential,” Weatherup said. “I’ve signed an emergency order that allows us to put out the smoldering silo fire that for months has created a nuisance in the surrounding area.”
According to Weatherup, the county will oversee the process, partnering with private enterprises to begin extinguishing the fire. Plans are set in place to begin as early as Friday.
The process will consist of opening up the silo and removing the smoldering corn, with contractors then saving whatever might be valuable while disposing of the ashes and burnt material.
“Distinguishing the fire is the most immediate action we set in motion today; but that action jumpstarts a partnership with Highscore Capital that will ultimately lead to the redevelopment of this site and return to its productive use,” Weatherup said.
According to Weatherup, Attis creditor Highscore Capital is owed millions in back payments by the company. As part of a deal between HIghscore and Oswego County, the county will be reimbursed over $1.5 million in back taxes owed by Attis, as well as Highscore Capital recouping some of their losses.
“We expect that partnership to result in the property being transferred to a reputable firm that will once again employ Oswego County residents, and be an asset to Volney and the Fulton Community,” Weatherup said. “Highscore has had preliminary discussions with a firm interested in resuming ethanol production at the site, and the county is doing everything possible to ensure that that agreement comes to fruition.”
Weatherup said the site is positioned to capitalize on the gas and oil markets around the globe; saying the facility requires minimal renovations to resume ethanol production. Attis was operating the plant until early 2020 when the plant was abandoned by the company.
Oswego County Legislature Vice-Chairman Linda Lockwood and jurisdictional legislator for the Attis site remarked on the significance of transforming the former Miller Brewing Company, addressing the urgent need to blanket the smoldering fire first in order to move forward.
“We may never see 700 plus jobs Miller Brewing once had here, but the actions we’re taking now will speed up the process to get this facility back up and running,” Lockwood said. “Our agreement with Highscore will result in new ownership of the facility. Not only will these efforts ultimately create desirable jobs and turn this property into a resource for the community, but it will complement other positive developments in the area to create a bright future for Volney, Fulton and Oswego County.”
Fulton Mayor Deana Michaels spoke about the transformation Central New York is undergoing, with outside businesses relocating and revitalizing a once vibrant manufacturing hub.
“We’re going to develop this site; I’m confident in that – this is the future of our area,” Michaels said. “Central New York is on the rebound [and] Fulton is well positioned to benefit. Putting out this silo fire is a catalyst for much success to come.”
Barclay also remarked on the decisive efforts of everyone involved making a resolution possible for the silo fire and incoming manufacturing opportunities that will be made possible in the Fulton area.
“Maybe we’re at the bottom now with this silo fire, but as the mayor said, there is renewed hope,” Barclay said. “I think we are on the rebound.”
Extinguishment of the silo fire will begin as early as Friday of this week or the beginning of next week.
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