In wake of spill, ice plant beefs up security

Though Kentucky State Police Detective Colan Harrell said no new findings have been discovered in the investigation surrounding the recent ammonia leak at the Corbin Ice Plant, he said he is working diligently with all involved.

“I am interviewing various individuals and as of right now, there is nothing to point us in a particular direction,” Harrell said. “I am interviewing every one I can that may know anything about this incident.

“It could be on of those long, drawn out investigations at this point,” he added. “You just go along talking to anyone that will talk to you and that’s all you can do.”

Harrell did say that the valve that caused the leak has been sent off to the manufacturer for testing, but no report has been received as of yet.

“I know they sent the valve off to be tested,” Harrell said. “There have been no findings reported as of yet based on that.”

As for the Ice Company and what they are doing in the aftermath of the spill, Corbin Ice Company Vice President Jreg Botner said measures have been taken to make the facility more secure, including security upgrades.

“We have completed an upgrade, which is a major upgrade from what we had, as far as that room (ammonia storage area) goes,” Botner said. “Things have been going smoothly and we are back up and running pretty good right now.”

Botner said he was unable to estimate the total cost of the spill, which included the disposal of 160,000 pounds of ice, for the company at this point, stating that all of the bills have not been received as of yet.

“The ice we lost was pretty minimal,” Botner said. “I haven’t gotten all of the bills yet, from things like cleanup and that sort and it could be weeks or months before we are able to determine that.”

Botner also said that employees had been reminded of company policies as far as who is to have access to particular areas of the plant, but admitted he did not feel like that was a major concern.

“I feel like everyone reacted well as far as our employees,” he said. “We kind of just sat them down and reiterated some of our policies and procedures just to be on the safe side.”