INEOS Styrolution's appeal of provincial orders issued in the spring will go before a hearing as scheduled on Friday.
The Ontario Land Tribunal [OLT] confirmed the case is still on its docket, despite the Tashmoo Avenue facility announcing last month it would permanently close its styrene monomer production site by June 2026.
The company is appealing the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Director’s Order to the Ontario Land Tribunal and an amendment to the company's Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) and Notice of Suspension of the ECA.
The sanctions forced INEOS to suspend its production operations.
The orders were placed after neighbouring Aamjiwnaang First Nation reported elevated levels of benzene on April 16, which left residents feeling ill.
According to the tribunal, the one-day first case management conference will be heard by video on July 12.
OLT said the appellant already indicated plans to bring a stay motion in October, after a federal order relating to the site under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act has been addressed.
As a result, the tribunal has also scheduled a two-day stay motion hearing to commence by video on Thursday, October 31.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation was added as a party to the proceedings.
The First Nation issued its own Notice of Violation against INEOS and MECP for the immediate remediation of benzene emissions on May 3.
INEOS asked that a federal order to destock benzene from its Sarnia site be delayed, about two weeks before announcing plans to close in two years.