EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 10/19

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.

Below are examples of recent EPA enforcement actions that provide insight into how and why EPA issues civil penalties to facilities for environmental noncompliance. Names of companies and individuals cited by EPA are withheld to protect their privacy.
 

WHO: A waste management facility
WHERE: Los Angeles, CA
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $102,700 plus $250,000 in supplemental projects

After a 2018 inspection, EPA found a Los Angeles waste facility allegedly violated several Federal hazardous waste regulations. According to EPA, the company failed to make accurate hazardous waste determinations for certain solid waste generated on site.

In addition to paying a fine, the company also agreed to begin testing customer containers for the hazardous chemical perchloroethylene and perform additional sampling of its waste streams.
 

WHO: A fuel and lubricant distributor
WHERE: Lanai, HI
WHAT: Clean Water Act violations
HOW MUCH: $71,166

A fuel distributor was recently cited for Clean Water Act violations after allegedly failing to review and evaluate the Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plan at least once every five years, conduct integrity testing of the aboveground storage tanks, and permanently close out-of-service aboveground storage tanks.

As part of the settlement, the company will pay a $71,166 fine. EPA believes the penalty will minimize the risk of oil spills from the distributor’s terminal to Lanai’s Kaumalapau Harbor and the Pacific Ocean.
 

WHO: A chemical manufacturer
WHERE: Cottage Grove, WI
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $480,500

EPA announced a settlement with a Wisconsin chemical company after alleged Clean Air Act violations at one of the company's used-solvent processing facility. Following an EPA inspection, the agency concluded that the company allegedly exceeded permit limits by failing to properly monitor fugitive emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).

In addition to paying a penalty, the company agreed to conduct a leak detection and repair audit, monitor and accurately calculate its air emissions, and establish and comply with HAP limits.
 

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Tags: California, chemical violations, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPA Enforcement Roundup, hawaii, hazardous waste, RCRA, Wisconsin