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

No comparison. Lion has the best RCRA training ever!!

Matt Sabine

Environmental Specialist

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

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

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

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

The instructor made the class enjoyable. He presented in a very knowledgeable, personable manner. Best class I've ever attended. Will take one again.

John Nekoloff

Environmental Compliance Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Hazardous materials shipment rejections bear a big cost. Use this guide to end operational and logistical disruptions that severely impact your bottom line.

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.