Explosions at River Metals Recycling an issue again, despite agreement [Video]

NEWPORT, Ky. — Explosions at River Metals Recycling have again rocked homes in Newport, despite the company’s promise to Newport that it would move its shredding operations by February and work to reduce the risk of explosions at the facility.

WCPO’s media partner LINK nky reported Thursday that residents experienced two explosions at the plant recently, one on Dec. 3 and the other on Dec. 4.

“It would be humorous if it weren’t so sad,” Newport Commissioner Ken Rechtin told LINK nky. “It is sad that they are able to control this [explosions] and over the past couple of days have either decided not to or the controls aren’t in place.”

A history of explosions in Newport

WCPO has reported on the explosions at the plant, and the reverberating impacts through Newport neighborhoods, since 2021.

The recycling facility built a $300,000 sound barrier in September of 2021, after residents repeatedly complained about the years of explosions that shook surrounding homes.

Despite the sound wall, the recurring explosions continued to …