Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • European Rubber Journal
  • Plastics News
  • Tire Business
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • News
    • Best Places to Work
    • Rubber Division IEC
    • War in Ukraine
    • Automotive
    • Tire
    • Non-Tire
    • Suppliers
    • ITEC
    • Silicone
    • Online Exclusive
    • Latex
    • Technical Notebooks
    • Executive Action
    • Government/Legal
    • Opinion
    • Blogs
    • Sustainability
    • Products
    • Wacky World of Rubber
  • Airless Tires
  • Custom
    • Sponsored Content
    • White Papers
  • Resources
    • Directory
    • Classifieds & Mold Mart
  • Data
  • Events
    • RN Events
    • RN Livestreams/Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Past Events
    • Rubber News M&A Live
    • Ask the Expert
    • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
    • Rubber In Automotive Conference
    • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
  • Advertise
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
July 10, 2017 02:00 AM

Oklahomans sue BFG, Michelin over alleged hazardous waste

Rubber & Plastics News Staff
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    MIAMI, Okla.—A group of Miami residents have filed suit against BFGoodrich Co. and Michelin North America Inc., alleging that BFG failed to warn state and local authorities about leaks of hazardous waste at a now-defunct tire plant in Miami.

    The citizen suit was filed June 12 before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma, on behalf of 106 plaintiffs plus six minor children. All the plaintiffs are residents of the Miami Heights subdivision in Miami, which is near the BFG tire and rubber manufacturing facility that operated on a 360-acre site between 1944 and 1986.

    According to the complaint, BFG management knew that the underground chemical feedline system at the plant was leaking hazardous waste, but never repaired the system or notified authorities that the problem existed.

    Furthermore, the suit alleges, BFG knew at least by 1972-73 that the waste had migrated to Miami Heights, but failed to report the contamination to the residents, the state of Oklahoma or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

    "Benzene was utilized in such quantities at the plant that it was delivered via rail car (and) stored in underground storage tanks a minimum of 10,000 gallons in size," the complaint said.

    The plant also had six to eight USTs with capacities of 15,000 to 20,000 gallons, all containing naphtha, white gas and other hazardous chemicals, according to the suit.

    Also, BFG stored more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel oil in above-ground tanks on the property at any given time, it said.

    The plaintiffs ask the Oklahoma district court to declare BFG and parent company Michelin in violation of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act; order the companies to operate the site in accordance with EPCRA; assess civil penalties of $25,000 to $75,000 for each day that EPCRA reporting violations are found; and attorneys' and expert witness fees.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Rubber News wants to hear from its readers. If you want to express your opinion on a story or issue, email your letter to Editor Bruce Meyer at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Bolder, Liberty Tire collaboration sets stage for more circular industry
    2
    Formula DRIFT proving Giti's prowess, raising innovation bar
    3
    'Made in America': Giti bringing premium tires, in-demand sizes to U.S. plant
    4
    Goodyear to halve capacity at German plant, cut jobs
    5
    Enviro's Sorensson, Blomqvist named to JV Board of Directors
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Get our newsletters

    Staying current is easy with Rubber News delivered straight to your inbox, free of charge.

    Subscribe Today

    Subscribe to Rubber News to get the best coverage and leading insights in the industry.

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    MISSION

    To serve companies in the global rubber product industry by delivering news, industry insights, opinions and technical information.

    Contact Us

    2291 Riverfront Pkwy, Suite 1000
    Cuyahoga Falls,
    OH 44221

    Customer Service:
    877-320-1726

    Resources
    • About Us
    • Digital Edition
    • Staff
    • Advertise
    • Order Reprints
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Partner Sites
    • Tire Business
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    • Automotive News
    • Crain Brands
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
      • Best Places to Work
      • Rubber Division IEC
      • War in Ukraine
      • Automotive
      • Tire
      • Non-Tire
      • Suppliers
      • ITEC
      • Silicone
      • Online Exclusive
      • Latex
      • Technical Notebooks
      • Executive Action
      • Government/Legal
      • Opinion
      • Blogs
        • Products
        • Wacky World of Rubber
      • Sustainability
    • Airless Tires
    • Custom
      • Sponsored Content
      • White Papers
    • Resources
      • Directory
      • Classifieds & Mold Mart
    • Data
    • Events
      • RN Events
        • Healthcare Elastomers Conference
        • Rubber In Automotive Conference
        • Women Breaking the Mold Networking Forum
      • RN Livestreams/Webinars
      • Industry Events
      • Past Events
      • Rubber News M&A Live
      • Ask the Expert
    • Advertise
    • DIGITAL EDITION