After weeks of considering whether to draft legislation to penalize Materials Sciences Corporation for its role in the ongoing chemical release and clean-up, Canfield city leaders have decided against it.

At Wednesday night's council meeting, those leaders told 21 News they have confidence that the EPA will hold MSC accountable through their resources and manpower.

 

The EPA released a 3,000 page report in December stating that it found "chemicals of concern", including cyanide and other carcinogens in the area including Sawmill Creek and near the Mill Creek MetroParks bike trail. 

 

"I do know that there's documentation and I also know that our HAZMAT team in Mahoning County, they have documentation of all the things that are going on. They're documenting what chemicals, they have reports they have to receive from them, so I know that there are other measures in place making sure that everyone is held accountable for what they need to do," said council president Christine Oliver.

The Ohio EPA says it's in the early stages of figuring out how widespread the contamination is after the July 2024 incident. 

The EPA has also been overseeing the clean-up. Monday night, dozens filled the high school auditorium to hear from the EPA, clean-up company August Mack, and city leaders about the severity of the situation. 

CONTINUING COVERAGE: 
https://www.wfmj.com/story/52020355/canfield-leaders-plan-town-hall-to-address-historic-chemical-release
https://www.wfmj.com/story/51548987/concerns-growing-after-july-chemical-release-in-canfield?clienttype=mobile

In other business at Wednesday's meeting, city leaders approved the renewal of their agreement with electric provider Dynegy, formerly Energy Harbor, which has since merged with Vistra Corp.

The renewal, which begins in June, includes a significant rate increase, from 4.97 cents per kilowatt hour to 8.66 cents per kilowatt hour. Residents can opt out of this agreement, but service through Ohio Edison would be even more expensive. Their rates are increasing from 8.2 to 10.2 cents per kilowatt hour next year.

Council president Oliver says the Dynegy rate is the best they could find.

"I feel that our energy rates are high enough as they are already, so it's disappointing to see that they're going up so much higher. So I would encourage everybody to make sure that they're paying attention to what they're paying, to check that before they decide whether they're going to opt in or opt out," Oliver said.

Residents can expect letters in the mail from Dynegy around mid-March explaining the changes and their options.