Corporate Campaigns
Willard Industries
In 2004, ECO Program Director Karen Arnett was honored for her contributions to clean air when she was presented with the David Cochran Memorial Citizen Activist Award by Ohio Citizen Action, the state's largest environmental advocacy organization.
The award memorializes David Cochran, a former Ohio Citizen Action staff members and tireless activist for equality and ther repeal of Cincinnati 's Aricle XII. Cochran passed away before the repeal of Article XII last November, but his spirit, energy, passions, and enthusiasm live on with many friends, family, and colleagues. The award began in 1996 and has been given in southwest Ohio only one other time. Karen was chosen for this award because she demonstrates the passion, determination, and commitment that memorializes the spirit of David Cochran.
Watching the Watchdog
Some environmental activists are a force to reckon with for Tri-State businesses -- and the Ohio EPABusiness Courier of Cincinnati - April 6, 2001 by Dan Monk Courier Senior Staff Reporter
It's hard to tell what angers Karen Arnett more: the recurring odor of melting plastic foam from the foundry near her Northside home or the reaction of regulators when she complained.
"The burden is on the resident to even prove there is a problem," said Arnett. "That's crazy. It's absolutely backward."
That's why Arnett is now in court against the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. She is trying to unravel the agency's settlement of a pollution case against foundry owner Willard Industries Inc., a settlement she believes was too lenient.
And that's why Arnett has become a full-time volunteer for Environmental Community Organization, or ECO, a local nonprofit watchdog group that's fast gaining a reputation as a potent pollution fighter.
Willard attorney Mark Norman said companies have reason to be concerned when ECO starts asking questions. MORE
OhioEPA NEWS RELEASE
For Release:January 5, 2001Willard Industries, Inc., has agreed to pay an $82,000 civil penalty for air pollution control violations at its aluminum foundry, located at 1253 Knowlton Street, Cincinnati.
In 1989, Willard installed, and in 1990 began to operate, three new or modified air contaminant sources at the foundry: a molten metal-pouring line, shakeout line, and sand unloading and storage. Willard installed and continues to operate these three units without having obtained the necessary installation permits regulating organic emissions and without obtaining proper operation permits. Also, Ohio EPA and the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services documented on numerous occasions since August 1998 that Willard Industries was causing a public nuisance due to odors from certain air emission sources at its facility.
In addition to the civil penalty, this settlement requires Willard to: (1) submit an application for an installation permit that would regulate organic compound emissions; (2) submit an application for a permit-to-operate; and (3) eliminate the public nuisance by raising the stacks of certain emission sources to a height of not less than 55 feet.
Willard Industries will pay $16,400 of the $82,000 civil penalty to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources for urban-area tree-planting projects in Ohio. Half of the remaining $65,000 will go to the Ohio Environmental Education Fund and the rest will go to Ohio EPA's Division of Air Pollution Control.
The settlement was filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court by the Ohio Attorney General's Office on behalf of Ohio EPA and the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services.