Sunday, June 7, 2009

Ohio EPA approves TAME Project Seismic Plans

From the Daily Advocate blog in Greenville, Ohio. ( A huge thank you to our local paper for going the extra mile to inform residents, many communities have not had this support from their local newspaper.)

Heather Lauer, Media Relations Coordinator for the Ohio EPA said that Batelle’s TAME Project Seismic Plans were approved on June 1, 2009.

A letter was drafted to David Ball, Project Manager, Battelle Memorial Institute that read:

Re: TAME Project Seismic Plans

Dear Mr. Ball:

The underground Injection Control (UIC) Unit of the Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking and Ground Waters (DDAGW) has reviewed the proposed seismic reflection survey plan for The Andersons Marathon Ethanol, LLC (TAME) carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration project. The original seismic plan was submitted by Batelle Memorial Institute (Battelle) on April 27, 2009. A revised plan was submitted May 4, 2009, and reviewed in accordance with Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) 3745-34-40. The seismic plan, with revisions, is approved as submitted.

The TAME project is a Phase III Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) development and demonstration project of geologic sequestration. The MRCSP is a consortium of Midwestern states, geological surveys, non governmental and private companies led by Battelle and funded by the Department of Energy (DOE). The seismic survey is designed to help ascertain geologic conditions at the TAME site.

You are hereby notified that this action of the Director is final and may be appealed to the Environmental Review Appeals Commission pursuant to Section 3745.04 of the Ohio Revised Code. The appeal must be in writing and shall set forth the action complained of and grounds upon which the appeal is based. the appeal must be filed with the Commission within thirty (30) days after notice of the Director’s action. The appeal must be accompanied by a filing fee of $70.00 which the Commission, in its discretion, may reduce if by affidavit you demonstrate that payment of the full amount of the fee would cause extreme hardship. Notice of the filing of the appeal shall be filed with the Director within three (3) days of filing with the commission. Ohio EPA requests that a copy of the appeal be served upon the Ohio Attorney General’s Office of Environmental Enforcement Section. An appeal may be filed with the Environmental Review Appeals Commission at the following address:

Environmental Review Appeals Commission

309 South Fourth Street, Room 222

Columbus, Ohio 43215

If you have any questions regarding this correspondence please contact either Lindsay Taliaferro or Chuck Lowe of my staff at (614) 644-2752.

Sincerely,

Chris Korleski

Director