Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 2/20

Posted on 2/20/2018 by Roger Marks

In this week’s EPA Enforcement Roundup, a major online retailer will pay more than $1 million for selling unregistered, misbranded pesticides in violation of FIFRA; a global petrochemical firm will complete a $10 million project to resolve Clean Air Act allegations; and more.

These are only a few of the environmental enforcement cases we’ve read about in the last 30 days. See EPA Enforcement actions that colleagues can learn from? Post them on Lion’s Facebook page here. Like Lion’s page so you never miss an update about DOT hazmat, hazardous waste, OSHA workplace safety, and EPA compliance.

In last week’s EPA Enforcement Roundup, A petroleum processor, an agricultural firm, and an Ohio city all paid to settle alleged EPA violations.


WHO: A giant online retailer
WHERE: Seattle, WA
WHAT: FIFRA pesticide violations
HOW MUCH: $1.2 million

For allegedly selling and distributing unregistered, misbranded pesticides through its global third-party seller network, in violation of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). 

According to EPA, the company held for distribution and distributed multiple pesticide and “pesticide chalk” products on behalf of third-party sellers operating through the company’s website. Under FIFRA, pesticides must be registered with US EPA and cannot be labeled with misleading or false information about the safety of the product (“misbranded”).

For violating FIFRA, the company will pay a $1,215,700 civil penalty and create a FIFRA online course available to the public “on the requirements of FIFRA and associated regulations.”
 

WHO: A global petrochemical firm
WHERE: Norco, LA
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $10 million

air-pollution.jpgA petrochemical facility in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana has resolved allegations from US EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality that the facility failed to properly operate industrial flares that reduce air pollution.

The company will spend $10 million to install and operate new air pollution control and monitoring technology to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), benzene, and other harmful air pollutants. In addition, the company will begin operation of a flare gas recovery system to divert waste gas that would otherwise enter the environment and pay a $350,000 civil penalty.
 
 

WHO: A sewage sludge incinerator
WHERE: Naugatuck, CT
WHAT: Failure to meet Clean Air Act compliance deadline
HOW MUCH: $100,000

A facility that incinerates sewage sludge—resulting in emissions of mercury, dioxins, furans, cadmium, lead, and carbon monoxide—recently contacted EPA regarding its difficulties coming into compliance with new 2016 Clean Air Act mercury emissions standards.

Under the new 2016 Clean Air Act requirements, facilities must limit emissions of 10 pollutants, including mercury; test emissions; and put in place procedures to limit emissions. The company will pay a $100,000 civil penalty to resolve the emission violations and enter a legally binding schedule to install and operate new mercury emissions controls within 2 years.
 
 

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

computer-(1).jpgManaging 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.

 
JOIN US LIVE! The 2018 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.
 

On-demand RCRA, RCRA Refresher, and EPA Compliance Training

RCRA-reporting.jpgComplete your annual RCRA training and get up to speed on the latest rules for hazardous waste generators at Lion.com. Build on your expertise with a streamlined RCRA refresher course you can access anytime, anywhere.

You get access to fully annotated resources trusted by professionals in the field since 1977. Plus, earn CEUs and leave with a full year of Lion Membership for fast answers to your questions, exclusive content and reference materials, State hazardous waste summaries, and more. 
 

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, EPA Enforcement, EPA Enforcement Roundup, FIFRA, fines and penalties

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

Lion's course was superior to others I have taken in the past. Very clear in the presentation and the examples helped to explain the content presented.

George Bersik

Hazardous Waste Professional

Lion is my preferred trainer for hazmat and DOT.

Jim Jani

Environmental Coordinator

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

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

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

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

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Look beyond the annual "Top 10 List" to see specifics about the most cited OSHA health & safety Standards and the individual regulations that tripped up employers the most last year. 

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.