On 10/15/2012, Mississippi DEQ contacted EPA to respond to an abandoned biodiesel manufacturing facility in Nettleton, MS. Site inspections have documented numerous tanks, drums, totes, and open pits that contain oil, acids, caustics, and alcohols. Several of the containers are reportedly leaking and the open pits are unsecured so that the contents may overflow and run off the site under a rain event. Previous efforts by MDEQ's brownfields program have failed to compel a PRP to conduct a cleanup of the site. The previous owners, Universal Bioenergy North America, claim that they no longer have ownership in the property. The tax lien holder, Element 79 LLC, also claims no ownership in the property. EPA Telephone Duty dispatched OSC Negron to respond and secure the site from release of materials. EPA is currently working with all prevoius mentioned entities as well as with Monroe County and City of Nettleton do determine ownership and access procedures.
