Lion's office will be closed on Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. For help with online training, please contact support@lion.com.
Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 3/28

Posted on 3/28/2022 by Lauren Scott

Industrial facilities in the United States are subject to complex, overlapping environmental regulations concerning air emissions, discharges to water, hazardous waste management and disposal, oil spills, chemical management, and more. Failure to comply with all applicable US EPA requirements can result in future liability and civil penalties as high as $100,000+ per day, per violation (and growing every year).

The EPA enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why the Agency assesses civil penalties for environmental noncompliance. All violations mentioned are alleged unless we indicate otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy.
 

WHO: At least 70 affiliated waste storage facilities
WHERE: North Slope Borough, AK
WHAT: RCRA and Clean Water Act violations
HOW MUCH: $6.5 million

EPA’s multi-year environmental investigation revealed many alleged hazardous waste management and Oil Pollution Prevention violations at numerous Borough-owned facilities in Utqiagvik, Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Point Hope, Point Lay, Wainwright, Deadhorse, and Prudhoe Bay. The violations contributed to at least two oil spills near the Kasegaluk Lagoon, Kaktovik Lagoon, and Pipsuk Bight.

To resolve the alleged violations, the Borough agreed to close all unpermitted hazardous waste storage facilities, develop a comprehensive waste management plan, build or retrofit a permitted hazardous waste storage facility, and revise its CWA Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan among other measures.
 

WHO: A chemical distributor
WHERE: Stow, OH
WHAT: TSCA violations
HOW MUCH: $357,000

Between 2012 and 2015, an Ohio chemical distributor allegedly failed to submit data reports for 18 chemical substances as required by TSCA. The company has agreed to pay a civil penalty within 18 months in a series of installments as part of EPA’s consent agreement and final order.

These alleged violations presented a potential harm to EPA’s ability to maintain accurate and updated information regarding commercially produced chemicals. Companies are required to give EPA information on the chemicals they manufacture or import into the United States. EPA uses the data to help assess the potential human health and environmental effects of these chemicals and makes the non-confidential business information available to the public.
 

WHO: A petroleum company
WHERE: Medford, NY
WHAT: RCRA UST violations
HOW MUCH: $250,000

During an unannounced inspection in 2012, EPA identified violations of gasoline storage and handling regulations, prompting a larger investigation into the petroleum company. EPA found that alleged underground storage tank violations contributed to leaks at 13 gas stations in disadvantaged communities across New York and New Jersey.

The company will now be subject to frequent and stringent inspections at nearly 30 of its facilities, according to the settlement. The company will also be required to implement additional leak detection safety measures across all of its facilities.
 

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:
 
Complete Environmental Regulations
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
 

Tags: Clean Water Act, EPA Enforcement Roundup, RCRA, roundup, TSCA, underground storage tank

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

The instructor had knowledge of regulations and understanding of real-world situations. The presentation style was engaging and fostered a positive atmosphere for information sharing.

Linda Arlen

Safety & Environmental Compliance Officer

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

The instructor was very knowledgeable and provided pertinent information above and beyond the questions that were asked.

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Lion courses are the standard to which all other workshops should strive for!

Brody Saleen

Registered Environmental Health Specialist

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Tips to identify and manage universal waste under more-stringent state regulations for generators and universal waste handlers in California.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.