(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Scott Nally today announced an agreement has been reached with Heartland Petroleum to temporarily shutdown its Columbus petroleum product refinery until previously court ordered emissions control systems can be installed. A Journal Entry and Order was filed today in Franklin County Environmental Court by Judge Harland Hale ordering the shutdown.
“Today’s order was necessary to protect the well-being of nearby workers and residents. I am pleased that an agreement was reached to temporarily shut down the facility and install the required systems without delay,” said Attorney General DeWine.
Heartland Petroleum operates a refinery on the eastside of Columbus which reprocesses petroleum products such as used motor oil. In September 2010, pursuant to the Attorney General’s request for injunctive relief, the Court issued an order that required Heartland to study and implement engineering modifications to address emissions violations. Last month, after the Attorney General filed charges in contempt, Heartland voluntarily shut down the refinery to make modifications to address recurring emissions issues involving odorous sulfur-containing compounds. However, since Heartland resumed operations on October 19th, additional emissions control issues have been identified at the refinery that have resulted in continued odor emissions and nuisance conditions.
Today’s order requires Heartland to shut down the facility by Friday, November 18, 2011. Today’s order also requires two separate measures required by the Judge’s October 18, 2011 order to be installed before the facility may reopen. Those systems, a nitrogen blanket system and a closed loop vapor recovery system, are intended to address the ongoing odor emissions.
“Ohio EPA is satisfied with the judge’s ruling. The Agency has been working with Heartland and will continue to work with the company so it can come into compliance with Ohio laws and regulations, be a good environmental steward and a good neighbor,” said Ohio EPA Director Nally.
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Documents
November 16 Judgment Entry and Order (PDF)
Media Contacts
Dan Tierney, Attorney General's Office: 614-466-3840
Erin Strouse, Ohio EPA: 614-644-2160