EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 3/14

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 in January 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 specialty chemical firm
Where: Pasadena, TX
What: Failure to submit TSCA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) data  
How much: $350,000

For alleged failure to submit TSCA chemical inventory information for 17 chemicals before the 2012 submission deadline, a global specialty chemical business with facilities in Pasadena, TX will pay $350,000 to US EPA.

Under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), chemical manufacturers and importers are required to submit certain chemical production, processing, and use data to EPA once every four years using the e-CDR online web reporting tool. The TSCA reporting rules have become more robust since 2012, with EPA now requiring chemical manufacturers and importers to submit a broader range of data than ever before.

Questions about TSCA reporting?  The TSCA Regulations Online Course guides you through the critical element of this EPA chemical program, including what to report and keep on file to maintain compliance and avoid EPA fines.

Who: A candy company
Where: Forest Park, IL
What: Failure to comply with Clean Air Act NAAQS requirements
How Much: $158,500

During an unannounced compliance inspection, US EPA identified a number of Clean Air Act emissions violations at an Illinois candy facility. Specifically, EPA cited the facility for failure to properly operate a catalytic oxidizer to control emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to EPA, the facility failed to adequately monitor the temperature of the oxidizer during operations—which led to excess emissions.  

In addition to paying a six-figure civil penalty, the company will install a new digital temperature monitor on the oxidizer and improve record keeping practices.
 

Who: A horse racetrack
Where: Ozone Park, NY
What: Clean Water Act NPDES permit violations
How much: $150,000

This violation took place at a racetrack in New York, but EPA wasn’t there to place bets. Because the racetrack takes care of many horses, the facility is a concentrated animal feeding operation, or CAFO, under the Clean Water Act. 

Certain CAFO’s must comply with US EPA’s regulations for discharge of pollutants to waterways. Find out more about animal feeding operations at EPA’s website.
 

Convenient, Effective Online EHS Manager 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
Just Launched! 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, fines and penalties, TSCA