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Somerset Refinery

Somerset, Kentucky is home to an oil refinery that produces gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuels and other petroleum based products. The plant was built in the 1940's, and operated by The Somerset Refinery, Inc. Until 2006 facility had the ability to produce up to 5,500 barrels of crude oil on a daily basis.

By 2006, financial troubles had hit the refinery, causing it to close down. Several companies battled to claim ownership of the facility, but the doors remained closed and production of oil ceased. There have been a small group of people that continued to work at the plant, mostly to keep the equipment in proper running order and to ensure that the facility remained compliant with all environmental precedents set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other local activist groups.

The closing of the plant was not the first problem that created serious issues and disputes. Years earlier, many products were found within the refinery that contained asbestos. When it was first discovered, asbestos was considered to be a valuable component for many industrial items, largely because of its ability to survive extreme temperatures. It immediately became a key ingredient for items such as rubber gaskets and insulation materials that were used in businesses all across the country. As these products aged, they would start to break apart, and microscopic particles of asbestos would be released into the air, where they could be breathed in by employees. This went on for quite some time before asbestos was discovered to actually be a toxic material that was responsible for creating internal damage to the respiratory system of its victims, and even developing into an often deadly mesothelioma cancer. Every product that contained this toxic substance had to be professionally removed and destroyed to provide a safe environment for workers, but anyone who spent time in the Somerset facility while asbestos was present may be at risk for these illnesses. Those who were employed during this time should schedule a medical check up at their earliest convenience.

For a while it seemed like the Somerset refinery would be closed permanently, or even destroyed. A fire broke out in 2007 when a small amount of gas ignited. This happened just 1 week after a few employees began a limited production run of gasoline. The people who were at the plant when the blaze began acted quickly, and turned off a valve that supplied the gas. This cut off the fuel supply and helped stop the fire, which might have otherwise burned down the entire refinery.

As of 2008, Grunberg Realty put in an offer to purchase the plant at a cost of more than $2 million. The company, owned by Michael Grunberg, made the purchase in an attempt to diversify their holdings and return the facility to its full operational capacity. While this process will take many months of upgrading the equipment, hiring and training staff and finding buyers for the finished product, Grunberg is dedicated to making this plant a viable source of industry in Kentucky once again.

Last modified: December 09 2009.