Lambton-Kent public school board to hold fewer public meetings
Styrolutions appeal to be heard July 12
June 5, 2024
The Ontario Land Tribunal says INEOS Stryolutions’ appeal of the orders which shut down its Sarnia plant will be heard July 12.
May 1 – 15 days after high levels of benzene in the air sickened members of the the Aamjiwnaang First Nation – the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, pulled the company’s Environmental Compliance Approval certificate shutting the plant down.
The order required the removal of all benzene storage from the site.
The province also ordered installation of full vapour control equipment which were later mirrored by the federal government which announced an interim order May 17.
May 15, lawyers for INEOS Styrolutions filed an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal which now hears cases regarding MECP orders calling them “crippling.”
The company, through its lawyers, also disagrees with the ministry’s order to “cease accepting and storing benzene at the Site by May 15…emptying the tanks is not achievable in a safe manner due to the extent of activities required and absence of off-site storage tanks,” the lawyers write in the request for an appeal.
Styrolutions submitted an alternative start up plan May 8 which lawyers say “is a more viable, safer, and environmentally sounder alternative to the requirements.” The company says that plan, along with air monitoring plan “form an alternative and effective plan for re-starting the facility and continued storage of benzene in an environmentally sound and safe manner, while minimizing off-site impacts to local community including the neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation, as well as impacts to our industrial partners within the cluster.”
The lawyers also ask for a stay of the suspension of its Environmental Compliance Approval certificate – which is keeping the company from producing styrene – while the legal arguments are being heard.
NEXT
Heavy rain expected, conservation authority expects ponding in flood plains
PREVIOUS
Petrolia may need a dog census says mayor, dog catcher
Front Page
Lambton-Kent public school board to hold fewer public meetings
October 2, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent The Lambton Kent District School Board will have 15 meetings annually beginning in November. A revised plan was presented to trustees at its Sept 22 meeting after trustees voted down a plan in a 4-4 vote at its Sept. 8 meeting to reduce its schedule from 18 meetings to nine meetings. Trustee David Shortt said the new
Read More
Front Page
Electric Zamboni sweeping East Lambton ice
October 2, 2026
The Independent Warwick Township has a new, much quieter Zamboni cleaning up at the East Lambton Community Complex. The township took delivery of its first ever electric Zamboni recently. The $150,000 machine was ordered in 2025 and the township waited two years for the order to be filled. Parks and Recreation Manager Ryan Chamney says the electric Zamboni is a
Read More
Front Page
Mega road project gone awry, now a mega election issue
October 2, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent As Point Edward residents consider who to vote for, the biggest road redevelopment contract in the village’s history is raising a lot of questions. Reconstruction of five large blocks of St. Clair Street that started in early spring 2024, was expected to last about a year and cost approximately $5.4 million. But more than two years later,
Read More
Front Page
Langstaff honoured provincially for 4H volunteering
October 2, 2026
The Independent Lambton County 4H leader Tami Langstaff is being honoured for her volunteerism. She was one of six people across the province receiving the 4-H Ontario Outstanding New Volunteer Award. Langstaff has been involved in 4H in Lambton since 2022, helping the clubs with everything from line dancing to crocheting. She also serves on the association’s board and helps
Read More