EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio (WKBN) – Toxic soil from East Palestine is being moved out of the village.

It was supposed to go to Michigan. Part of why this changed is because protestors in Michigan fought against having the soil brought there.

But the EPA announced those plans have changed. It’s raising concerns for East Liverpool residents.

The EPA announced Monday that toxic soil will now go to East Liverpool. Heritage Thermal Services will now handle its disposal. One resident is not happy about this.

Alonzo Spencer is the president of Save Our County in East Liverpool. It’s a group for environmental advocates. Spencer has been fighting against Heritage Thermal Services and its work for years, citing that the company has committed environmental violations.

Spencer questions whether Heritage Thermal Services should be handling the toxic soil.

“Is Heritage capable of handling it safely? Is this threatening the health and safety of the community, and especially with a facility that has a terrible history of being incapable of handling waste safely?” Spencer asked.

The EPA has noted that Hermitage Thermal Services had seven of 12 quarters of non-compliance with the Clean Air Act permit. The company also exceeded its permitted emission standard of hydrocarbons 38 times since 2018.

Spencer wants the city to fight against bringing the soil to Heritage Thermal Services. Spencer wants the soil to go elsewhere. He also expressed his concerns for areas outside of East Liverpool.

He thinks the tri-state area of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia is now in jeopardy with the soil coming to East Liverpool.