EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 8/2
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 beauty products manufacturer
A company that specializes in the production of personal care products agreed to a six-figure settlement to resolve alleged hazardous waste air emissions violations. EPA alleges the company failed to monitor valves and pumps for leaks, maintain records, tag valves and flanges, inspect roof closures, and obtain a written tank assessment.
Due its proximity to a Superfund site and low-income communities, environmental justice played a significant role in EPA’s actions on this case.
WHO: A pharmaceutical facility
EPA reached a settlement with a blood anticoagulant manufacturer for failing to meet applicable organic air emission as well as other RCRA requirements. The company was seemingly operating as an unpermitted large quantity generator, according to EPA. The alleged violations created the potential for releases of hazardous wastes, including harmful air emissions.
A 2020 inspection found the company was allegedly operating as a large quantity generator that failed to have a contingency plan for releases of hazardous waste, conduct and document hazardous waste training, and properly mark equipment and keep records. In response to the inspection findings, the company agreed to take the necessary steps to return its facility to compliance.
WHO: A construction company
As a result of a 2019 inspection, EPA alleges a construction company violated the terms of its Clean Water Act permit. Since alerted to the alleged violations, the company took necessary steps to return to compliance and agreed to pay a civil penalty.
The company allegedly failed to implement practices to limit the release of construction pollution into streams and other waters. EPA says those failures resulted in discharges of sediment and construction-related pollutants into a tributary to Stevens Creek and Waterford Lake.
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
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 beauty products manufacturer
WHERE: Danville, IL
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $175,000
A company that specializes in the production of personal care products agreed to a six-figure settlement to resolve alleged hazardous waste air emissions violations. EPA alleges the company failed to monitor valves and pumps for leaks, maintain records, tag valves and flanges, inspect roof closures, and obtain a written tank assessment.Due its proximity to a Superfund site and low-income communities, environmental justice played a significant role in EPA’s actions on this case.
WHO: A pharmaceutical facility
WHERE: Oelwein, IA
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $80,562
EPA reached a settlement with a blood anticoagulant manufacturer for failing to meet applicable organic air emission as well as other RCRA requirements. The company was seemingly operating as an unpermitted large quantity generator, according to EPA. The alleged violations created the potential for releases of hazardous wastes, including harmful air emissions.A 2020 inspection found the company was allegedly operating as a large quantity generator that failed to have a contingency plan for releases of hazardous waste, conduct and document hazardous waste training, and properly mark equipment and keep records. In response to the inspection findings, the company agreed to take the necessary steps to return its facility to compliance.
WHO: A construction company
WHERE: Lincoln, NE
WHAT: Clean Water Act violations
HOW MUCH: $60,009
As a result of a 2019 inspection, EPA alleges a construction company violated the terms of its Clean Water Act permit. Since alerted to the alleged violations, the company took necessary steps to return to compliance and agreed to pay a civil penalty.The company allegedly failed to implement practices to limit the release of construction pollution into streams and other waters. EPA says those failures resulted in discharges of sediment and construction-related pollutants into a tributary to Stevens Creek and Waterford Lake.
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, enforcement, EPA, fines, hazardous waste management, penalties, RCRA
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