Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 1/25

Posted on 1/25/2021 by Lauren Scott

Every day, facilities across the US receive Notices of Violation from US EPA for alleged noncompliance with a wide variety of programs like the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts; chemical management and reporting regulations (TSCA, EPCRA, CERCLA, etc.); hazardous waste management and disposal standards (RCRA); and much more.

Below are examples of recent EPA enforcement actions that provide insight into how and why EPA issues civil penalties to facilities for environmental noncompliance. Names of companies and individuals cited by EPA are withheld to protect their privacy.
 

WHO: A major chemical manufacturer
WHERE: Four facilities in TX and LA
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $3 million plus $294 million in site improvements

A large chemical manufacturer and its subsidiaries recently settled with EPA, US Department of Justice, and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at four facilities in the Southeast. According to the plaintiffs, the company allegedly “oversteamed” their flares and failed to comply with other key operating parameters. These measures are intended to effectively combust the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants contained in any gases routed to flares.

The companies will spend approximately $294 million to install and operate air pollution control and monitoring technology to reduce flaring and the resulting harmful air pollution from 26 industrial flares at four facilities in: Hahnville, Louisiana; Plaquemine, Louisiana; Freeport, Texas; and Orange, Texas.
 

WHO: A magnesium metal producer
WHERE: Rowley, UT
WHAT: RCRA and CERCLA violations
HOW MUCH: $250,000 plus $37 million in site improvements

EPA has reached an agreement with one of the largest magnesium metal producers in the northern hemisphere over alleged violations of Federal hazardous waste and superfund regulations. In addition to paying a fine, the company agreed to conduct extensive site improvements to reduce the environmental impacts from its production operations and enhance worker safety.

As part of the settlement, the company will build a border wall around 1,700 acres of the facility to prevent leaks or breaches of hazardous materials to the Great Salt Lake as well as a filtration plant to treat all wastewater. These modifications are expected to cost the company at least $37 million.
 

WHO: A military base
WHERE: Anchorage, AK
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $61,554

A military base in Alaska agreed to a $61K settlement recently over alleged mismanagement of hazardous waste. In October 2019, the base self-disclosed that roughly 200,000 pounds of expended small-arms cartridge casings (ESACCs) had been stockpiled and were determined to be toxic from lead contamination.

The base has agreed to restart its ESACC recycling program, which was discontinued in 2017. The base will also decontaminate the building where the scrap brass cartridges are stored, report to EPA on its progress recycling the ESACCs, and notify EPA when the recycling is completed.

Live RCRA Refresher Training at Lion.com in 2021

How well do you know EPA’s RCRA Generator Improvements?

Get up to date when Lion presents live, instructor-led RCRA Refresher training that covers the major changes EPA made and drives home the real-world impacts on your facility. Join us live on September 1, September 17, February 9, February 17, and March 9.

Need initial RCRA training for new employees? The RCRA Hazardous Waste Management online course guides hazardous waste personnel through the RCRA hazardous waste management requirements to properly manage hazardous waste from cradle-to-grave. 

Tags: CERCLA, chemicals, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, environmental, environmental compliance, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines, hazardous waste, penalties, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

The instructor created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental 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

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

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

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 can take what I learned in this workshop and apply it to everyday work and relate it to my activities.

Shane Hersh

Materials Handler

Lion Technology workshops are amazing!! You always learn so much, and the instructors are fantastic.

Dorothy Rurak

Environmental Specialist

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

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.