Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 4/19

Posted on 4/19/2021 by Lauren Scott

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: An oil refinery
WHERE: Joliet, IL
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $1.5 million plus $10 million in site improvements

A multinational oil company and EPA have announced an amendment to a 2005 Consent Decree to resolve past violations at the company’s refinery in Illinois. According to EPA, the company allegedly violated requirements for fuel gases burned in refinery furnaces among other Clean Air Act violations.

The most recent Consent Decree update addresses these violations and will reduce air pollution through significant site upgrades and improvements. The company agreed to use an optical gas imaging camera to monitor its open-ended lines for leaks. To address alleged emissions monitoring system violations, the company will develop a comprehensive plan to ensure implementation and compliance with regulatory requirements.
 

WHO: An oil tank management facility
WHERE: Wakefield, MA
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $250,000

According to Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP), an oil tank installation, maintenance, and removal company allegedly failed to properly train employees in hazardous waste management and generated hazardous waste in excess of the volume permitted under its Very Small Quantity Generator status, among other violations.

The oil tank company agreed to complete the closure process for an underground injection control well and will hire a Licensed Site Professional to manage the process, conduct necessary sampling and testing of soil for possible contamination, and cooperate with any required inspections by State or local authorities to secure closure of the underground injection control well.
 

WHO: A logistics company
WHERE: Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, ND
WHAT: Clean Water Act violations
HOW MUCH: $106,500

A company that transports liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) agreed to a six-figure settlement after two alleged releases of produced pipeline water polluted tributaries of Lake Sakakawea on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. Between September 19 and 30, 2019, about 4,879 barrels of produced water were unintentionally released, says EPA.

The LPG transporter reported the incidents to the National Response Center and worked with the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs to contain and clean up the releases. The company has also taken steps to reduce the likelihood of similar releases in the future by removing the pipeline material involved in the releases from other pipelines on the Reservation. 
 

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 Air Act, Clean Water Act, environmental compliance, environmental training, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines, hazardous waste management, hazardous waste training, oil and gas, penalties, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

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

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Excellent course. Very interactive. Explanations are great whether you get the questions wrong or right.

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

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.