The Vindicator
Patriot Water claims ODNR attack on its business
By Jamison Cocklin 

WARREN - The face-off between the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Patriot Water continued Tuesday, as the company’s president, Andrew Blocksom, had choice words for an agency he says is attacking his business. 

Blocksom finds himself in yet another dispute with ODNR, which he says has taken aim at his company because the agency views it as a competitor in the drilling-waste-disposal business. 

Patriot learned from a representative at D&L Energy last week that the regulatory agency would not allow the waste- water treatment facility to accept drilling waste from the company’s headquarters at 2761 Salt Springs Road in Youngstown. 

Last month, the permits of D&L Energy and Hardrock Excavating were revoked, with the stipulation that drilling waste could no longer be stored at the companies’ headquarters, after state regulators determined that oil, brine and drilling mud were dumped intentionally down a storm drain at the site. 

In a statement released on the matter, ODNR said Tuesday its main objective “is to enforce strict regulations to protect Ohio waters and ensure environmental protection, as well as public health and safety.” 

It added that a letter was sent to Patriot notifying the company that it was not listed on the “approved disposal plan for shale transportation, which is required to properly track and ensure the chain of custody for oil-field waste.” 

Patriot treats light, low-salt-content water generated from fracking, a process in which sand, water and chemicals are pumped into shale at a high pressure to release gas trapped within rock formations thousands of feet underground. It does not treat heavier, high-salinity brine that is easily disposed of in injection wells. 

Blocksom contends that he operates under the scrutiny of local, federal and state officials, using scientifically proven methods to treat the lightweight, lower-salinity drilling water. He said Tuesday his company was granted permission by the previous ODNR administration to dispose of the lighter fluid. 

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