A potentially hazardous chemical release at the Austin Powder Plant in northern Vinton County sent an orange haze billowing into the morning sky, forcing emergency officials to evacuate nearby communities and warn residents of significant environmental risk.
The Vinton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the plant was evacuated early this morning following the incident. The plume—believed to contain nitric acid, a byproduct of explosive manufacturing—was visible from miles away and photographed rising above the surrounding hills. Officials quickly escalated emergency protocols as the situation unfolded.
Evacuation Orders Expand as Hazmat Concerns Mount
What began as a localized alert quickly turned into a full-scale evacuation. Residents along State Route 677—locally known as Powder Plant Road—between U.S. Route 50 and State Route 278 were ordered to leave immediately. The directive later expanded to include Morgan Road, Infirmary Road, Creek Road, and the entire Village of Zaleski.
Originally told to shelter in place, Zaleski residents were later informed that the risk of airborne exposure had intensified. Authorities reversed course and issued a mandatory evacuation for the small town nestled in the heart of southern Ohio’s Appalachian foothills.
Emergency transportation is being coordinated from St. Sylvester Catholic Church in Zaleski, where buses are staged to move residents safely out of the impacted zone. Meanwhile, Vinton County High School's gymnasium in McArthur has been set up as an emergency shelter for those displaced.
Public Health & Environmental Impact Still Unknown
As of press time, officials have not disclosed the chemical involved in the leak, the volume released, or how long the incident lasted before containment measures were enacted. However, the thick orange color of the haze is characteristic of nitrogen oxides—corrosive gases that can cause severe respiratory problems upon inhalation and are known to contribute to environmental degradation.
The Ohio EPA and regional HazMat teams are reportedly en route or already on the scene. Local residents are demanding transparency as anxiety mounts over long-term air and soil contamination.
Background on Austin Powder Company
The Austin Powder Plant, one of the country’s oldest explosives manufacturers, produces industrial explosives for mining, quarrying, and construction. While the company has deep historical ties to the region, it has also faced scrutiny in the past for safety concerns and environmental risks tied to its operations.
If this leak is confirmed to involve nitrogen dioxide or other volatile chemicals, questions will intensify over what regulatory safeguards failed—and whether the company adequately reported its chemical inventories to state and federal environmental agencies under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA).
Next Steps & Community Response
With no confirmed timeline for when it will be safe to return, affected families are bracing for an uncertain stretch. Local watchdogs and environmental advocates are already pushing for air and water testing, public health screenings, and a full investigation into what triggered the leak.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE TELEGRAM | An orange chemical plume rises above the Austin Powder Plant, captured from SR 677 AND Infirmary Road by Kennedi Kovaleski.
Compliance Under Scrutiny
An Environmental Enforcement Profile of Austin Powder Company's Vinton County, Ohio Plant
A Major Local Economic Force
Austin Powder's Red Diamond Plant is not just an industrial site; it's the largest employer in Vinton County. This economic significance provides a complex backdrop for regulatory actions, where the imperative for environmental protection must be balanced with considerations for regional employment and stability. The facility's compliance history directly impacts both the local ecosystem and the community's economic health.
The 2022 Clean Water Act Settlement
The most significant enforcement action resulted from years of non-compliance. A federal complaint alleged hundreds of wastewater discharge violations since 2013 and a failure to adhere to a prior 2018 administrative order. This led to a comprehensive settlement with major financial and operational consequences.
This reduction protects Raccoon Creek and Elk Fork, tributaries to the Ohio River.
Settlement Breakdown: Penalty vs. Investment
The settlement's financial components highlight a dual approach: penalizing past violations while compelling future investment. While the penalty is substantial, the mandated investment in improving two wastewater treatment plants is larger, focusing on long-term prevention and compliance.
Timeline of Key Enforcement Events
2013
Beginning of a prolonged period of Clean Water Act violations, with hundreds of pollutant discharges exceeding permitted limits from the Red Diamond Plant's wastewater treatment facilities.
April 27, 2018
The EPA issues an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) to resolve the ongoing wastewater issues. The company's subsequent failure to fully comply with this order contributes to more severe legal action.
March 16, 2022
The U.S. DOJ and EPA announce a major settlement under the Clean Water Act, formalized in a Consent Decree. It includes the $2.3M penalty and $3M investment requirement.
August 3, 2022
A new incident occurs: a release of approx. 2,312 lbs of sulfuric acid. This triggers a different regulatory issue under the CERCLA (Superfund) law due to a reporting failure.
June 12, 2023
The CERCLA violation is formally settled through an Expedited Settlement Agreement, resulting in a $5,000 penalty for failure to immediately notify federal authorities of the release.
CERCLA Reporting Violation (2022)
A separate incident revealed a failure in procedural compliance. The company did not immediately notify the National Response Center after releasing sulfuric acid, a hazardous substance, in a quantity far exceeding the legal reporting threshold.
This violation resulted in a $5,000 civil penalty.
RCRA Permitting: A Compliance Paradox
While dealing with CWA violations, the company was also renewing its hazardous waste (RCRA) permit for open burning. This created a paradox, as the permit required demonstrating a "history of compliance" at the exact time the company was being penalized for years of non-compliance under a different environmental law.
RCRA Permit Application
Seeks to authorize hazardous waste treatment.
Key Requirement
Applicant must show a "history of compliance with relevant environmental laws".
The Contradiction
Major CWA settlement for violations since 2013 announced concurrently.
This situation highlights the complex, multi-faceted nature of regulatory oversight and likely led to increased scrutiny on all of the facility's permits.
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