The Hennessey Board of Trustees met on October 14 to tackle a full agenda that included legal action against a proposed waste management facility, updates on town infrastructure and equipment, and discussion about ongoing operations at the Senior Center.
Town to Protest Proposed Waste Management Facility
A major topic of the evening centered around an application filed by Centennial Solids Control LLC, which seeks to develop a commercial waste management facility northeast of Hennessey, located within three miles of town limits.
Because of its proximity, state law gives the Town of Hennessey standing to formally protest the project before the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC).
The proposed facility would require a waiver under state regulations that limit the placement of such sites within three miles of municipalities with fewer than 20,000 residents. Centennial’s application requests both operational approval and this waiver.
Environmental and Community Concerns
Several citizens raised serious concerns about the types of materials the facility would process — including oil-based mud, contaminated soil, high-chloride and caustic waste, amine, and glycol.
A specific point of contention was a request for a waiver allowing “unlimited” chloride levels, well above the state’s normal limit of 5,000 mg/L. Residents voiced fears about potential odor issues, groundwater contamination, and other environmental risks that could affect nearby homes and farmland.
Town’s Legal Response
After discussion, the board voted unanimously to hire legal counsel to formally protest the application. The town plans to coordinate efforts with local landowners already represented by attorney Michael Booz.
The OCC hearing on the matter is set for October 21, 2025, at 8:30 a.m.
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