Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost has filed a complaint in Wood County Common Pleas Court to stop torch cutting operations at Bates Recycling, a facility in northwestern Ohio. The business, located in the village of Cygnet, is accused of operating without the necessary permit for torch cutting as part of its scrap-processing activities.
According to the complaint, the facility’s operations have resulted in strong odors and rusty-colored plumes that have affected air quality and reduced visibility on local roads. Residents have reported respiratory problems and skin irritations linked to these emissions.
“This company does not operate in a vacuum, and therefore needs to follow Ohio’s environmental laws,” Yost said. “These regulations were established to prevent negative health impacts to the workers as well as the public.”
The legal action seeks a temporary restraining order against Bates Recycling and requests that the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency be allowed to inspect the site before any further operations take place. Torch cutting is described as using high-temperature flames to break down metals for storage or transport.
Yost’s office stated that repeated attempts by Ohio EPA inspectors to access the facility have been blocked by owner Christopher Bates, who has denied entry, ignored an administrative search warrant, and constructed a wall of scrap material to obstruct views of ongoing work.
A hearing on this matter is scheduled for October 29.
