Lima Refining Company is responding to a release of gasoline vapors from a tank vent, which contributed to benzene readings in an isolated area for a short time. Shawnee Township Fire Department and EMA are on the scene. As a precautionary measure, community members were asked to avoid Buckeye Road. That road has since been opened. There may be an odor; local air quality is being monitored. There are no detectable readings at this time. There has been no directive from local authorities or Lima Refinery to alter daily activities. Activities can continue as normal. “There is no shelter-in-place order, no danger to the public,” stated Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller.

The Lima refinery will be paying millions of dollars in penalties and upgrades for violations of the Clean Air Act. The U.S. Justice Department and the Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Cenovus Energy to pay 19 million dollars in civil penalties for benzene and volatile organic compound emissions. The energy company must also implement an estimated 150 million dollars in capital improvements to reduce emissions of benzene by 4.3 tons per year, other hazardous air pollutants by 16 tons per year, and other volatile organic compound emissions by 219 tons per year.

There was a benzene release from the Lima Husky Refinery this week. A Husky Energy official in Canada has confirmed an incident at the Husky Lima Refinery.