Modesto Tallow Co. could face heavy fines or even a shutdown if it does not clean up its stench, air pollution officials said Wednesday.

The company, which for years has drawn complaints about the odor from its rendering plant on Crows Landing Road, will be the subject of a June 24 public hearing before the northern region hearing board of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.

If the board orders the company to deal with the odor, and it does not do so, the district could impose fines of up to $25,000 per day or revoke the plant's emissions permit, said Bob Kard, director of compliance for the district.

"There's an ongoing, well-known odor problem in the community around the plant, and we felt not enough progress was being made in mitigating the effects to the point where it would be acceptable," Kard said.

Modesto Tallow President Jeff Podesto declined to comment Wednesday. He referred The Bee to the company's attorney, who was not available.

South Modesto residents have long complained about the odor from the plant, which is close to Shackelford School and generally low-income neighborhoods. The company turns livestock carcasses into products such as grease, tallow and hides.

"Whenever you drive there, it smells, every single day," Barozzi Avenue resident Anne Goodrich said. "I know they're trying (improvements), but they're not working."

The company has tried to reduce the smell with, among other things, a refrigerated room for arriving carcasses and increased maintenance of equipment that traps vapors.

"They're spending a lot of money, no doubt, and we think they've done some things that have helped, but it's not enough," Kard said.

District records show the complaints rising from 13 in 1994 to 513 in 1998, then falling to 131 in 2001. The district logged 47 in the first five months of this year.

Jami Aggers, air quality compliance manager for the district, said the company has made progress, but the odor on some days is as bad as ever.

A study last summer by the Stanislaus County Health Services Agency found no link between the odor complaints and the rate at which children visit nurses at nearby schools. Agency officials said the odor, although a major nuisance, apparently is not a health threat.

For all the problems, the plant has been a key part of the region's economy for more than 80 years.

Kard said the district staff will determine what penalty to impose if Modesto Tallow does not comply with an order from the hearing board.

The hearing on Modesto Tallow Co. will be at 6:30 p.m. June 24 in the basement chamber at Tenth Street Place, 1010 St., Modesto. People wishing to review the proposed abatement order, or to submit written comments in advance, may call 557-6400.

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.