Cargill Salt installs natural gas boiler, replacing coal at Watkins Glen operation ~ O’Mara applauds investment in local economy, environment

Watkins Glen, N.Y., August 13—Cargill Salt has invested nearly $7 million to install a boiler fueled by natural gas, replacing a system that was fired by coal.

"The team here did a great job of managing the coal boilers over the years, but natural gas has dramatically reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” said Keith Klug, plant manager.  

State Sen. Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats) welcomed Cargill’s investment. 

“This significant investment in cleaner energy technology continues Cargill’s long-standing commitment to the strength of the local economy, job security for many Watkins Glen residents with good paying industrial jobs, and the quality of the local environment,” said O'Mara, who chairs the Senate Environmental Conservation Committee. “I appreciate Cargill’s commitment to the region and look forward to their continued leadership in the Schuyler County economy.”

Cargill Salt is one of more than 70 businesses in the agricultural and food company Cargill.  Around the world, Cargill has goals to reduce its environmental impact, including a 5-percent improvement in its greenhouse gas intensity.

“At a local level, this change is another way we strive to be good neighbors within the communities in which we operate,” said Klug.

Cargill produces salt by extracting salt from a deposit that is 2,500 feet below the surface.  The salt was deposited millions of years ago when ancient inland seas dried up.  The salt-laden water is returned to the surface.  The boiler produces the energy to evaporate the water, leaving the salt.  Watkins Glen produces granulated salt for use in food, industrial, water conditioning pellets and agricultural salt products.

Located at the southern tip of Seneca Lake, the business was founded in 1898 by the Clute family and for many years operated under the name Watkins Salt Company. Cargill bought the business in 1976.  The plant employs about 110 people.

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About Cargill Salt

Cargill Salt produces, packages and ships salt for the following 5 major market segment applications: agricultural, food, water conditioning, industrial and packaged ice control. Cargill makes over 1,000 different salt products/package sizes and markets national and regional brands, including Diamond Crystal® branded household consumer food, packaged deicing and water softener salt products and Champion's Choice® branded agricultural salts. Cargill is one of the leading salt marketers in the world.  For more information, visit www.cargill.com/salt/ .

About Cargill

Cargill provides food, agriculture, financial and industrial products and services to the world. Together with farmers, customers, governments and communities, we help people thrive by applying our insights and 150 years of experience. We have 143,000 employees in 67 countries who are committed to feeding the world in a responsible way, reducing environmental impact and improving the communities where we live and work. For more information, visit www.cargill.com.