ODNR appoints new Chief of the Division of Oil and Gas Resources Management

The division is newly created and will enforce Ohio’s laws related to oil and gas drilling, production, plugging, orphan wells, solution mining, enhanced recovery, gas storage and underground injection control operations. For more details, click here.

Ohio EPA proposes updates to rules governing drinking water and wastewater operators.

The new rules would change exemption availability and would affect the process for suspending or revoking a certificate of operation. For more information, click here.

Ohio EPA proposes changes to clarify water quality trading rules.

The new changes would, among other things, disqualify load reduction from eligibility  for water quality credits when that reduction is funded through Ohio EPA’s Water Resource Restoration Sponsorship Program. For more information, click here.

State Files for Temporary Shutdown of Columbus Refinery for Air Pollution Violations

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed Charges of Contempt against Heartland Petroleum in Franklin County Environmental Court seeking the temporary shutdown of  its refinery for ongoing air pollution violations that have caused substantial odor nuisances. For more information, click here.

Ohio EPA proposes amended rule for particulate emissions from industrial processes.

The amendment would require exemptions for surface coating operations be approved by both Ohio EPA and U.S. EPA.  Comments on the proposed rule are due Tuesday, November 15, 2011.  For more information, click here.