LEIPSIC, Ohio — The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a formal Notice of Violation (NOV) to POET Biorefining – Leipsic LLC after sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions at its ethanol facility were found to exceed legal limits during emissions testing conducted in April, according to documents released by the agency Friday.
The NOV, dated June 20, 2025, states that emissions units at the plant significantly surpassed the allowable SO₂ emissions threshold of 35 pounds per hour, as outlined in the company’s Title V and Permit to Install air permits. Average SO₂ emissions during normal operations reached 43.6 pounds per hour, while emissions rose to 46.8 pounds per hour when the facility’s scrubber system was bypassed.
Under Ohio Revised Code 3704.05(C), violating the terms of an issued air permit is considered a breach of state environmental law. POET is required to submit a compliance plan to Ohio EPA within 30 days detailing how it intends to correct the violations and return to permitted emissions levels.
The findings stem from emissions testing conducted on April 8 and 9, 2025, on three key units: the ethanol production system (P007) and two dryers (P008 and P009). POET submitted its emissions report to the agency on May 30.
The NOV follows a separate February 2025 authorization from Ohio EPA allowing POET to operate one of its emissions units during a temporary shutdown of its Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO), a key pollution control device. That temporary authorization required strict adherence to maintenance plans and conditions outlined in the company’s written request.
While the recent violation letter does not state whether the emissions exceedances occurred during or after that authorized maintenance period, Ohio EPA officials have emphasized that the facility remains responsible for maintaining compliance at all times.
Failure to submit a satisfactory compliance plan could result in administrative or civil penalties, the agency warned.
POET Biorefining – Leipsic is part of POET LLC, a leading producer of biofuels in the United States. The facility, located in rural Putnam County, processes corn into ethanol and related co-products.
Ohio EPA officials have not publicly indicated whether enforcement action beyond the NOV is being considered.
Add comment
Comments