Ohio Orders Pipeline Builder to Clean up its Spills

The Ohio EPA orders Energy Transfer Partners to develop a plan to clean up drilling spills related to the Rover pipeline construction project.

TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Ohio’s environmental agency is ordering a company building a natural gas pipeline across Ohio to come up with a plan to clean up its spills from drilling and get rid of diesel-soaked mud.

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency also wants the state to pursue a proposed fine of $900,000 against Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners.

The company’s $4.2 billion Rover Pipeline project is being built to carry gas from Appalachian shale fields across Ohio and to other states.

The head of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency said Monday that Energy Transfer officials are refusing to negotiate over the cleanup from several spills in the spring. One of the spills heavily damaged a wetland in northeastern Ohio.

A message seeking comment was left with the company Monday.