LOUISVILLE, Ohio — A Stark County metal processing plant has been cited by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for unlawful hazardous waste storage and failure to comply with mandatory cleanup procedures following the shutdown of operations, according to a formal Notice of Violation issued June 18.

The violations come after a May 20 inspection at Jewel Acquisition LLC’s facility at 1500 West Main Street in Louisville. The NOV states that the company stored hazardous materials without the required permits, failed to properly identify or dispose of them, and neglected to remove regulated substances after ceasing operations in December 2024. The facility, which is affiliated with Allegheny Technologies Inc., was found to be in violation of Ohio’s hazardous waste laws set out in Chapter 3734 of the Ohio Revised Code as well as the Cessation of Regulated Operations rules under Chapter 3752.

According to the NOV, Jewel Acquisition stored Kolene bath waste containing chromium (waste code D007) without a permit. EPA inspectors observed yellow solids and liquids near the #2 Cold Anneal & Pickle (A&P) line and the Kolene loading area. Other deficiencies noted include three 55-gallon drums of corrosive (D002) waste in the Bright Anneal Cooling Tower Building, three 30-gallon containers of hazardous waste north of the #2 Hot A&P Line, and chromium-based solids inside the Kolene Tank Building and its secondary containment. The facility is now classified as an unpermitted Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Facility, a designation that requires submission of closure plans and financial assurance for cleanup.

State inspectors documented potentially hazardous waste in at least 30 areas across the site. These areas include the Hood Anneal Basement, where five 5-gallon pails of black liquid were found; the Repair Shop, which contained liquid carboys, grease cartridges, and gas cylinders; and the Carpenter Shop and Shipping Area, where containers of unknown materials and spent lamps were noted. Additional locations with documented problems range from areas in and around mechanical systems, basements, and wastewater treatment components to outdoor storage areas where spills and unidentified residues were observed. EPA officials further noted that the company failed to make the necessary hazardous waste determinations on many of these materials in violation of state rules.

Under Ohio law, following its cessation of regulated operations on December 1, 2024, Jewel Acquisition had 90 days to remove all regulated substances and submit a complete EPA Form 0329. The form, which was not submitted until April 24, 2025, was incomplete. Inspectors found that substances including oil in containment systems, compressed gas cylinders, and chemical residues remained on site well past the deadline. The Ohio EPA has recommended that the company resubmit its closure documentation, remove all remaining hazardous materials, and develop a comprehensive sitewide cleanup plan. EPA officials warned that the violations will continue to remain open until all corrective actions are completed, and additional citations could be issued if remediation efforts fall short.

In related developments, further investigation at the Louisville facility is underway. A RCRA Facility Investigation Work Plan Addendum prepared by Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc. on April 23, 2025, outlines additional soil and groundwater sampling at four specific areas of concern. The addendum identifies AOC 17 (Temper Mill), AOC 23 (Fuel Storage Tanks), AOC 43 (Ferrous Chloride Aboveground Storage Tank), and AOC 50 (Petroleum Product Pipelines) as needing further evaluation. The work plan calls for shallow soil borings to collect dual depth-range samples for analysis of trace metals, volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds, and other parameters. It also notes that groundwater monitoring well MW-03 was gauged in early March, with measurements indicating that no light non-aqueous phase liquid was present. These additional investigations are designed to determine whether residual contamination exceeds EPA screening levels and to refine the corrective action approach, should further remediation be required.

The Ohio EPA has requested a written response, including supporting documentation and a detailed corrective action plan, within 14 days. Failure to fully approve the employer’s corrective measures could result in further administrative or civil penalties under Ohio law.