Odors cause DEM to issue violation and fine to petroleum distribution company

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) – A noticeable stench in providence has the state going after a company along the waterfront.

Sprague Operating Resources is one of the industrial companies along Allens Avenue.

It makes and stores road grade asphalt.

But according to Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM), that product has become a stinky problem.

The department issued them a notice of violation regarding the odors, which is attached to a $22,500 fine.

“It doesn’t smell good it’s sort of sulfurous,” said DEM Public Affairs representative Mike Healey.

According to the department, the company went from storing petroleum products in two of its tanks, to liquid and road grade asphalt in September of 2017 – and that’s when the complaints started.

The DEM described smells as petroleum, sulfur, or asphalt by people in that general area.

“Sometimes it’s stronger than others,” said Paula Algarin, who works on the waterfront.

The DEM says after making Sprague aware of the issue, the company presented a plan in January to put in air pollution control equipment.

However the department says Sprague had a deadline to have that up and running by June 15, and as of now it’s yet to even apply for a permit to install that equipment.

“This is an important company to our local economy,” said Healey. “We need a little more action, we really need them to step up and do something about it.”

State inspectors also noticed the odor over at nearby Collier Point Park.

Algarin, who works on the waterfront, says it’s hard not to notice.

“Definitely experience different chemical smells and stuff like that,” she said.

The DEM says breathing the air is not a health hazard for most, but can be hard on those with asthma and other breathing disorders.

The company has 20 days to appeal and 30 days to submit a report that assesses the problem, and shows how they plan to fix it.

Sprague has not returned a request for comment.