EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 1/24

Every day, facilities across the US receive Notices of Violation from US EPA for alleged noncompliance with a wide variety of programs like the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts, chemical management and reporting regulations (TSCA, EPCRA, CERCLA, etc.), hazardous waste management and disposal standards (RCRA), and much more.

For the second time in six months, EPA this month raised its fines for noncompliance with major environmental programs. We hope that providing information about EPA enforcement cases will help you identify and fix noncompliance issues that could leave your company facing costly penalties and future liability.
 

Who: A blueberry processing facility
Where: Hancock, ME
What: Clean Air Act RMP and CERCLA violations related to anhydrous ammonia
How Much: $108,000

In what has become a regular fixture of this EPA enforcement feature, violations of CERCLA/Superfund and Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan (RMP) requirements for anhydrous ammonia will cost a blueberry processor in Maine more than $108,000.

Anhydrous ammonia is commonly used in refrigeration equipment as an alternative to ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like chlorinated fluorocarbons (CFCs), hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), carbon tetrachloride, methyl chloroform, and others.  While it does not harm the ozone layer, anhydrous ammonia can be corrosive and flammable, posing risks to workers at facilities where it is used and the surrounding community.

Who: A Texas city
Where: Tyler, Texas
What: Clean Water Act violations
How Much: $563,000

To settle a complaint filed jointly by the Department of Justice, the EPA, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), the city of Tyler, Texas will pay more than half a million dollars to resolve Clean Water Act violations resulting from overflowing sewer systems.

The sewer overflows, EPA says in its press release, at times resulted in raw sewage contaminated local waterways and residents’ private property.  In addition to the $563,000 civil penalty, the city will spend an estimated $65 million on remediation projects over the next decade.
 

WHO: A coatings manufacturer
WHERE: Brattleboro, VT
WHAT: Alleged Federal and state hazardous waste violations
HOW MUCH: $71,000

For alleged violations of Federal RCRA and State hazardous waste rules, including violating the 90-day accumulation rules and EPA standards for managing contaminated shop rags, a coatings manufacturer in Vermont will pay a $71,000 civil penalty. In addition to the fine, the company will spend $272,000 to design and install a system to capture and control solvent emissions.
 

Convenient, Effective Online EPA Compliance Training

Managing site compliance with the many complex EPA programs that affect your business—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, EPCRA, CERLCA, and more—is a major challenge. If you’re new to the field, or need an update on changing EPA rules, online training is a convenient way to quickly build in-depth expertise. Check out the latest EPA compliance training options here:

Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
New! Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Coming Soon! Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online

The 2017 nationwide schedule for the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is now available. Collaborate with other managers to identify the requirements that apply to your facility, ask the right questions, and make the right decisions about EPA compliance.

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, EPCRA, RCRA