Bryan County commissioners discuss nickel refinery after DABC ceases talks with Westwin Elements

[transcript] I don't want to die at cancer. I don't. I don't want my children exposed to cancer. Tonight the controversy about a potential nickel refinery in Ryan County rolls on as the investigation into the former industrial site moves forward. Tonight County commissioners once again heard from residents and the county attorney about what comes next after the development authority made the decision to cut all ties with West Wind Elements this morning. Our Augustina Mellus was at the meeting tonight and Augustina, what happened there? She'll be much of the discussion tonight was about clarity. It focused on a timeline laying out Westman Elements legal battles and federal tax exempt requests as well as emails between the company and the Bryan County Development Authority. The county attorney also clarified what authority the county now has as the process moves forward. residents are still pressing county leaders for a transparency. Some are looking for answers after Westwind Elements CEO Kayleigh Long said Bryan County leaders knew about contamination at the former Caesarstone site since last year. I think I think that that's in question, right? I don't know. So we're going to find out. We're going to get to the bottom up. That's our job to make sure we know exactly what's out there. A resident with an environmental background questioned how earlier testing was handled and whether it addressed the right risks. We were concerned that there had been no action taken at that information that was provided during that time and here we are today trying to figure out what's what he was responsible. County commissioners heard from their attorney who outlined the legal and financial history tied to the project. He also confirmed that an investigation into environmental conditions is already underway. And that investigation has commenced. I get noticed a Caesarstone that Westwind had made these allegations about it. I quoted him as long specifically what she said and said that notice to Caesarstone. Kapler says he has not heard back from the site's current owner and does not expect a response. He confirmed he has consulted with subject matter experts already. And once again, no one spoke in support of the refinery during public comment. Outside of tonight's meeting WTOC got a hold of a statement from Southern Environmental Law Center urging Georgia's Environmental Protection Division to deny the project's air permit, calling the application incomplete and unsuitable for expedited review. County leaders say the environmental investigation will continue in the coming weeks and any future action on the site will depend on what that review finds. We reached out to Westwind for comment but did not hear back by deadline. Live in the studio, Augustina Mellus, WTOC News