Available Now: 2023 Schedule of Hazmat & RCRA Training
Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 2/7

Posted on 2/7/2022 by Lauren Scott

Industrial facilities in the United States are subject to complex, overlapping environmental regulations concerning air emissions, discharges to water, hazardous waste management and disposal, oil spills, chemical management, and more. Failure to comply with all applicable US EPA requirements can result in future liability and civil penalties as high as $100,000+ per day, per violation (and growing every year).

The EPA enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why the Agency assesses civil penalties for environmental noncompliance. All violations mentioned are alleged unless we indicate otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy.
 

WHO: A building materials manufacturer
WHERE: Norwood, MA
WHAT: EPCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $104,572

According to EPA, a New England maker of construction materials failed to file Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) reports for zinc compounds and chromium compounds for reporting years 2017, 2018, and 2019 in a timely manner. Annual TRI reporting is required under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) Section 313.

Once advised, the company since submitted the required reports and paid a civil penalty. Complying with EPCRA and TRI helps ensure that communities are informed about chemical usage that may affect public health and the environment.
 

WHO: A chemical plant
WHERE: Leland, NC
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $39,500

A chemical distillation and blending facility agreed to a five-figure civil penalty to resolve alleged hazardous management violations. Between January 2015 and November 2019, the company used isopropyl alcohol and acetone solvents to clean tanks at the facility. During a later EPA Compliance Evaluation Inspection, the Agency found that the company failed to make hazardous waste determination on the spent chemicals generated and managed at the facility.

The inspection also identified that the company allegedly failed to file a notification with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to become a handler of hazardous secondary materials in accordance with North Carolina hazardous waste regulations.
 

WHO: A waste treatment facility
WHERE: Bristol, CT
WHAT: EPCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $30,688

EPA alleged that a waste treatment facility failed to file TRI reports for company-manufactured zinc compounds and nitrate compounds for calendar years 2017, 2018, and 2019 in a timely manner. Following EPA's notification about the alleged violations, the facility filed all six of its overdue reports and agreed to pay a settlement penalty of $30,688.

Under Federal TRI regulations, companies that use certain listed chemicals must report their chemical releases each year to EPA. This information serves as the basis for the Toxic Release Inventory, which is a collection of data that can be readily reviewed by communities, government, and industry.
 

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: EPA, EPCRA, fines, hazardous waste management, penalties, RCRA, roundup, TRI reporting

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

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

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

Energetic/enthusiastic! Made training enjoyable, understandable and fun!

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

I will never go anywhere, but to Lion Technology.

Dawn Swofford

EHS Technician

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

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

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Use this guide as a quick reference to the most common HAZWOPER questions, and get course recommendations for managers and personnel who are in need of OSHA-required HAZWOPER training.

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.