Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 7/4

Posted on 7/6/2017 by Roger Marks

Every day, facilities across the US receive Notices of Violation from Federal and State environmental agencies 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.
 
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.

In this week's EPA Enforcement Roundup, two oil companies and a bottle maker will pay for alleged violations of EPA rules and to fund hazardous substance cleanup.

Facebook-BANNER.jpg

WHO: An oil refinery
WHERE: Lima, OH
WHAT: Alleged Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $1,000,000OilRefinery_300x300.jpg

As part of a lawsuit ongoing since at least 2007, an Ohio refining facility will pay $1 million to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act and to fulfill its obligations under a 2007 Department of Justice Consent Decree.

In addition to the $1 million penalty, the refinery will spend $1.75 million to fund a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) and perform mitigation work at an estimated cost of $10 million. On top of all of that, the company will spend another $150 million to fulfill the injunctive relief requirements laid out in the new Consent Decree: making leak detection and repair enhancements, developing a CEMS Operation and Maintenance Plan, performing CEMS testing and calibration, training employees, and more.

See the new Consent Decree here.

WHO: A bottle maker and bottling company
WHERE: Wheat Ridge, CO
WHAT: Alleged Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $475,000

For allegedly modifying the furnaces at its facility without complying with the Clean Air Act New Source Review (NSR) requirements, a Colorado bottle maker and bottling company will pay a six-figure fine to US EPA.  

When a facility regulated under the Clean Air Act constructs a new “major source” of air pollution or makes modifications to an existing source, the owners/operators must undergo New Source Review (NSR). NSR is a pre-construction review program that determines if the proposed emissions control technology installed during construction will be adequate to achieve Clean Air Act National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) goals for the region.  

Have questions about New Source Review or NAAQS requirements? The new Clean Air Act Online Course covers the critical elements of this complex US EPA program and will help you keep your facility in compliance.

WHO: A major oil company
WHERE: Beavercreek, Ohio
WHAT: Recovery of CERCLA cleanup costs
HOW MUCH: $85,253.85

As one of many companies tapped by US EPA to pay for the cleanup for the Lammers Barrel Superfund Site in Beaver Creek, OH, a major oil company will now make its second payment—in the amount of $85,253.85—and fulfill its obligations under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

The 2.5-acre Superfund site in Beavercreek, OH was the former location of a solvent recycler. When the facility burned down in 1969, various chemicals, VOCs, and hydrocarbons contaminated the soil and groundwater. The full list of companies that have contributed to the cleanup includes a number of big names in the American petroleum, chemical, and manufacturing industries. 


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

ENV-300-computer-image.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.

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: CERCLA, Clean Air Act, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, EPCRA, fines and penalties

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

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

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

The online course was well thought out and organized, with good interaction between the student and the course.

Larry Ybarra

Material Release Agent

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

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

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

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Our instructor was very dynamic and kept everyone's interest. Hazmat shipping can be a dry, complicated topic but I was engaged the entire time.

Kimberly Arnao

Senior Director of EH&S

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

In-flight hazmat incidents can be disastrous. This guide gives 5 tips for first-time air shippers to consider before offering dangerous goods for transportation on passenger or cargo aircraft.

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.