Columbus-The Ohio Department of Agriculture has acknowledged without further comment that a suit has been filed by Sharon Township over the disagreement about locating a 12,000-gallon anhydrous ammonia tank that local officials consider to be a safety hazard. Spokeswoman Erica Pitchford told Green Markets that ODA is still in the process of reviewing the proceedings, and that there would be no comment until that process is complete. The township is seeking an injunction to put on hold the state’s approval for installing the tank at a Medina County farm until regulations are established to protect residents from an ammonia release. According to the complaint, regulations for installing the tank do not limit its size, require a background check of the installer, or consider the township’s ability to respond if the chemical were released. The tank, which ODA insists meets all state regulations, has been the object of a community-wide protest meeting and a bill sponsored by a leading Ohio state representative to prevent state agriculture officials from approving any ammonia tanks in densely populated areas (GM, Oct. 25, 2010). The bill leaves final approval with the ODA director, but the applicant would also have to submit written notification to local government, fire, and law enforcement officials.
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