Asphalt plant in Tahoe dogged by neighborhood complaints
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The fumes and sounds of Tahoe Asphalt have been a cause for neighborhood complaints for a number of years. While Tahoe Asphalt has remediated their practices according to the standards of the El Dorado County’s Air Quality Management District, some residents still worry about potential impacts on their health.
Tahoe Asphalt is the only asphalt plant in the Lake Tahoe Basin, established in the 1960s, and provides the asphalt used in paving the roads, a necessity given the near constant road repairs after snowy winters. The company has a special use permit approved by the city of South Lake Tahoe and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), who are also part of several agencies that regulate the company’s operations.
“For more than 60 years, Tahoe Asphalt a family-owned business, has been committed to providing the materials that keep South Lake Tahoe’s roads safe while operating under rigorous environmental standards and continuous regulatory oversight,” wrote a spokesperson to the Tribune. “We are committed to operating responsibly, transparently, and in compliance with all applicable permits and environmental regulations.”
The asphalt plant is regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Air Resources Board and the El Dorado County Air Quality Management District (AQMD), which also provides an operating permit to the company.
But complaints about Tahoe Asphalt have resurfaced, especially in light of the city’s plans around the industrial areas in town. Last year, a few public comments were submitted complaining about the noise that the trucks make.
More pressing to residents, though, are concerns about the environmental and human health impacts. About ten years ago, resident Jeff Marcus circulated a petition to have the plant address noise, air and water pollution—it received over 150 signatures. While solicited complaints cannot be used to determine noncompliance with AQMD’s Nuisance Rule, the agency conducted 76 site visits in 2016-2017 to assess compliance.
“Based on inspections, permit reviews, and historical records, Tahoe Asphalt is operating in compliance with applicable air‑quality rules and regulations established by the U.S. EPA, the State of California, and the El Dorado County AQMD. As with any permitted source, isolated instances of noncompliance can occur; however, AQMD staff address these promptly, and corrective actions are verified. All air‑quality‑related complaints trigger an investigation by AQMD staff,” wrote an AQMD employee in an email to the Tribune.
The Tribune sorted through complaints from that time period to the present through a public records request, which showed the AQMD’s logs of inspections they conducted at the site, such as smell tests and discussion with Patrick Plumer, the general manager of the plant. Some of the incidents lined up with unusual workloads or differences in material composition of what was being heated. Overall, the 125 pages detail a range of incidents, some where investigations triggered communication with the plant, and some where no relevant smells were detected despite complaints.
“We respect the regulatory process and believe it provides the appropriate forum for evaluating concerns and ensuring accountability,” said Tahoe Asphalt Plant.
Marcus said that when he initially bought the property, he was never informed about the potential contamination to water and air nearby. “I love Tahoe and this isn’t a vendetta, this is a concern. I don’t think this kind of business should be allowed in the Tahoe Basin, even if our roads do get beat up.”
Marcus and other neighbors expressed concern about the vapors and health hazards from being near the plant, as well as tetrachloroethylene (PCE) contamination from the overflow ponds. While there has been PCE found in groundwater in Tahoe, the wells that contain them were either destroyed or no longer used.
However, Marcus says that he doesn’t believe that commonly used benchmarks of state standards are acceptable. “Those standards may not consider sensitivities, allergies or interactions of those chemicals.” He has contacted multiple federal and state entities, including state senator Marie Alvarado-Gil, the Environmental Protection Agency, several California governors and the president of the United States, to no response.
About a decade ago, Tahoe Asphalt was rebuilt and also began the use of ECOSORB, a chemical that reduces the odor of asphalt mixing processes. However, Marcus says that these changes only serve to cover up the underlying issues he has with the plant. He also added that to see the true impact of the plant, there should be consistent monitoring from the AQMD—not just when a complaint is filed.
Asphalt plants are a source of pollutants, according to environmental groups. A study from 2022 in India showed that hot mix plants could cause deterioration in ambient air quality, and the Environmental Protection Agency identified asphalt processing as major sources of hazardous air pollutants in 2003.
Measuring the impact of these pollutants can be tricky, as the formation of asphalt differs from plant to plant. Marcus says that he worries about the increased toxicity from recycling asphalt. Tahoe Asphalt says, “Asphalt is one of the most recycled construction materials in the country, and we’re proud to help keep valuable materials out of landfills while conserving natural resources through asphalt recycling.”
Some people have moved out of the neighborhood because of the asphalt plant. Marcus asks, “Why should we be forced to leave? We should shut down the plant and get them out of here forever. In the name of health and safety, we should get asphalt from outside the basin.”
Others say that their ideal situation would be for the asphalt plant to be relocated as well.
On the other hand, the plant prides itself on being local. “Producing asphalt locally means fewer truck miles, lower transportation-related emissions, and a more resilient local supply chain. It’s one of the most effective ways to support both infrastructure and sustainability,” they said in an email to the Tribune. “In just the past few months, we’ve supported projects for El Dorado County, the City of South Lake Tahoe, and Caltrans by helping recycle more than 25,000 tons of old road materials while reducing vehicle miles traveled by more than 65 percent. We’re not just a business located in South Lake Tahoe; we’re part of this community. Our employees live here, our families live here, and we’re committed to operating responsibly while supporting the region’s long-term success.”
Marcus says he will continue to fight against the plant’s presence in his neighborhood on the basis of it impacting the health of the neighborhood and Tahoe as a whole. “I don’t know what the answer is, but I don’t think it’s fair to expect us to live near an asphalt plant and be injured as long as we live.”
