DeWine
COLUMBUS, Ohio (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine and Ohio EPA Director Scott J. Nally announced a settlement on Tuesday with a Columbus refinery to resolve allegations of air pollution control violations.
The consent order and final judgment with Heartland Refinery Group LLC was filed before Judge Harland Hale in Franklin County Environmental Court. The refinery allegedly released uncontrolled emissions and caused substantial public odor nuisances.
"I am pleased that all parties agreed to a settlement that will protect nearby workers and residents, enforce Ohio's emission laws, and allow continued operations at the facility," DeWine said.
Under the terms of the settlement, Heartland must comply with its permit, abide by and implement improvements required by four previous court orders from 2010 and 2011, implement a public notification system to alert nearby agencies, safety forces and business about events at the facility, provide the public non-confidential and non-trade secret documents and additional information about facility improvements and progress on its website, and pay enforcement costs and civil penalties to DeWine's office, in addition to stipulated penalties for failure to comply in the future.