Renewable Environmental Solutions, Inc.
Renewable Environmental Solutions, Inc. (RES) operates a plant in Carthage, Missouri employing a technology called the “Thermal Conversion Process” (hereinafter “TCP”) which converts agricultural waste products such as turkey offal, blood, feathers, and bones into oil by-products. RES takes the unused animal by-products and superheats and pressurizes them until they break down into their component chemicals. The hydrocarbon chains are then separated and converted into low-grade oil.
Hailed as a potential alternative energy source, the plant received strong support from various state and federal leaders and was built with the help of $16 million dollars in federal grants. The plant is situated only blocks from the downtown square which is the epicenter of the city. The plant began large-scale operations in 2004 and almost immediately was the subject of dozens and dozens of odor complaints. RES is routinely the subject of almost 50% of all odor complaints to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in the entire state of Missouri. The complaints have prompted two public nuisance lawsuits by the Attorney General’s Office. Despite the AG suits, the odor problem in Carthage has continued.
In response to the litany of odor complaints, Belt Law Firm, PC, filed a class action lawsuit against RES alleging that the facility’s emission of odor constituted a nuisance interfering with the Plaintiffs’ and Class Members’ right of use and enjoyment of their properties in addition to decreasing the value of their real property. The case is pending before the Circuit Court of Jasper County in Carthage, Missouri. The parties are currently in the process of briefing the class certification issue and will then await a decision by the Court as to whether the case will proceed as a class action.
The ultimate goal of the lawsuit is to not only force RES to implement additional anti-odor measures to stop odor emissions, but to also compensate the Class Members for the loss of the use and enjoyment of their properties and for the significant decrease in the value of their real estate they have suffered as a result of the noxious and offensive odor emitted by the RES plant.
If you or a family member reside in the Carthage, Missouri area, and have experienced an odor which interferes with the use and enjoyment of your property, and would be willing to discuss your experience with us, please call us toll free at 1-888-933-1514 or email us at info@beltlawfirm.com.
