Lion's office will be closed on Friday, April 18. For online training support, email support@Lion.com. 
Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 12/19

Posted on 12/18/2017 by Roger Marks

This week, the EPA Enforcement Roundup returns for our final installment of 2017! This time around, the President of an environmental services firm In Pennsylvania faces criminal charges for illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

See older weekly Roundups here.

In January 2017, EPA raised its fines for noncompliance with major environmental programs. We hope that providing information about EPA enforcement cases will help you identify and fix noncompliance issues that could leave your company facing costly penalties and future liability.
 

WHO: The president of an environmental services firm
WHERE: Chester County, PA
WHAT: Illegal RCRA hazardous waste storage
HOW MUCH: Up to $250,000 and/or 5 years in jail

Prison-Blog.jpgFor improperly storing and disposing of hazardous waste in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the president of an environmental services firm faces criminal charges.

According to metro Philadelphia news outlets, the company allegedly stored hundreds of brown bottles containing hazardous chemical waste contaminated with heavy metals in the basement of its facility “for decades.”

In addition, employees interviewed say they were directed to dispose of the waste by pouring it down the drain.

The maximum criminal penalty for violations of US hazardous waste law is $250,000 and up to five years in prison. Depending on which (or how many) criminal provisions of RCRA were potentially violated, the sentence may vary. 


WHO: A laundry company
WHERE: New Bedford, MA
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $200,000

A uniform and textiles rental and laundering facility open since 1959 has been cited by US EPA for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act. According to EPA, laundered shop towels cleaned at the business often contained volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—a precursor to ground-level ozone—which were released into the air.

In 1998, the business installed new laundry equipment, but it did not install air pollution controls or apply for the proper Clean Air Act permit. As part of its agreement with EPA, the company will upgrade air emissions capturing and treatment equipment and conduct emissions testing. This is at least the sixth Clean Air Act enforcement action taken against laundry facilities in the past few years, EPA says.


WHO: A road materials manufacturer
WHERE: Redwood City, CA
WHAT: Clean Water Act stormwater violations
HOW MUCH: $102,051

 
For alleged violations of EPA’s stormwater discharge and oil pollution prevention requirements under the Clean Water Act, a California road materials company will pay a six-figure fine.

According to EPA’s enforcement report, the company failed to use best management practices to reduce stormwater runoff from its facilities. Industrial facilities that discharge stormwater associated with industrial activity typically must obtain an NPDES permit, follow strict requirements, and meet EPA recordkeeping requirements. 


20+ Hours of EHS Manager Training - Available Anytime, Anywhere

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, the Complete Environmental Regulations Online Course will help you quickly build in-depth expertise.

Or, check out the latest individual EPA compliance training options here:
 
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
New! Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Just Launched! Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
 
The 2017 nationwide schedule for the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is now available. Collaborate with other managers to identify the requirements that apply to your facility, ask the right questions, and make the right decisions about EPA compliance.

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines and penalties, hazardous waste,, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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 very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

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

Sarah Baker

Planner

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

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

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

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

Johnny Barton

Logistics Coordinator

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Shipping papers are a crucial part of safely shipping hazardous materials. See the top 5 mistakes shippers make on shipping papers, and how to avoid them.

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.