Sarnia plastic plant pauses fight against tighter benzene regulations, requests more time

A chemical plant in southwestern Ontario has paused its fight against tighter provincial regulations of its toxic emissions.

INEOS Styrolution, which idled theSarnia facility in April, says the provincial government and Aamjiwnaang First Nation have agreed to adjourn the appeal process.

With the hearing on hold, the company says it's urging "safety over speed" and is re-issuing a plea to the federal government to extend its deadline to meet these stricter regulations.

The federal and provincial government have both told the company to drastically reduce benzene emissions following reports of people inAamjiwnaangbecomingill earlier this year.

The company was expected to argue against theprovincial order in a three-week hearingscheduled to start September 30,with partof the hearing to be held in Aamjinwaang.

INEOS said in a statement that all three groups agreed to "adjourn the appeal," saying that "cooperative efforts... have significantly reduced contested issues" in the appeal.

Aamjiwnaag, whose chief and council havecalled for tighter regulations at area chemical plants for decades, remains in a localstate of emergency as the company removes benzene from local storage tanks to meet government orders.

Benzene, which can cause cancer if someone is exposed to large amounts for a long periodof time, is a byproduct created by area oil refineries and shipped to the INEOS facility where processed into achemical used in plastic products.

The company removed a majority ofthe chemical from storage tanks earlier this summer and is nowwarningthat a second stage of the provincially approved suspension plan could lead to higher emissions.

"Modelling based on the plan clearly shows that there is likely to be elevated benzene emissions during destocking," reads part of a statement sent to CBC News by INEOS Styrolution.

The company said it has shared an alternative plan with the federal government that requires more time to install technology it says will reduce emissions below the new limits.

"Despite this, Environment and Climate Change Canadarejected the alternative plan, maintaining the Oct.16, 2024, deadline for destocking site inventory."

Next step in removal process could trigger evacuations

The chair of council for Aamjiwnaangsaid that they welcome the pause in the appeal process but are concerned about the risks connected to the next part of the plant to remove benzene from the facility.

"When the floating roof makes its way down as benzene gets removed from the storage tanks we may be experiencing higher levels of benzene emissions," said Janelle Nahmabin.

She previously told CBC News those amounts could trigger an evacuation forparts of the community of about 1,000 people.

Nahmabin says they do not have an exact date for the second stage of the removal.

INEOS has stated that the federal deadline is October 16 with work expected to begin October 1.

CBC News has asked the federal government for commentand is awaiting a response.

The provincial tribunal has scheduled a case management conference related to the appeal for October 16.

INEOS has said that the suspensions process could take sixmonths and is not expected to restart this year.

The company has also announced plans to permanently shut down the operation before July 26, citing market conditions. The move willput about 80 full time employees out of work.