EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 8/31

The EPA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why US EPA and State partners assess penalties for environmental noncompliance.

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

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A cannabis extracts manufacturer faces enforcement action for alleged air quality and hazardous waste violations.

Per the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), the manufacturer’s facility had the capacity to emit volatile organic compounds above the threshold at which an air quality permit is required, creating risk to human health and the environment. The manufacturer did not have the required air quality permit.

The DEQ also stated that the company failed to complete a hazardous waste determination and treated hazardous waste without a required treatment permit, leading to multiple fires and at least one explosive reaction.

The manufacturer faces a $28,431 civil penalty.

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A metal finishing, electroplating, and powder coating business faces enforcement action for alleged hazardous waste noncompliance in Ohio.

The metal finishing business is a large quantity generator that generates characteristic and listed hazardous wastes and now faces a $11,200 penalty. Ohio EPA conducted an inspection that determined the business operated as a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit.

Specifically, the business stored 18 250-gallon containers of hazardous waste for greater than 90 days in the central accumulation area. The generator also failed to:

• Label at least a dozen containers of hazardous waste and hazardous wastewater treatment sludge.
• Close two containers of hazardous wastewater treatment sludge.
• Provide written job descriptions for each position related to hazardous waste management.
• Provide records of annual refreshers of initial training for facility personnel.
• Develop and submit a quick reference guide of the facility’s contingency plan to local emergency responders.

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A wood treating facility faces enforcement action for alleged hazardous waste noncompliance in Alabama.

Alleged hazardous violations found by the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (DEM) include failures to:

• Properly label satellite accumulation containers.
• Provide required records/documents for review.
• Restrict access to central accumulation areas.
• Post warning signs at each approach to the active portion of the facility.
• Maintain and operate the facility to minimize the possibility of release of hazardous waste to the environment.

Additionally, the facility stored hazardous waste for greater than 90 days without a permit.

With the proposed consent order, the DEM suggested a penalty of $14,560. If issued, the order would require the company to come into compliance with all applicable requirements of the state’s hazardous waste regulations.

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