EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 7/10
We’re back with another EPA Enforcement Roundup! In this week’s Roundup, a fuel terminal, a farm supplier, and a sand and gravel company will pay to resolve alleged violations of EPA air, water, and/or chemical regulations.
Have you seen other recent EPA enforcement actions that your colleagues can learn from? Post them on Lion’s Facebook page here. Be sure to like our page so you never miss an update about DOT hazmat, hazardous waste, OSHA workplace safety, and EPA compliance.
All accusations of environmental violations herein are “alleged” unless otherwise noted. Lion News does not publish names of individuals or companies impacted by EPA enforcement.
For failure to maintain a certified oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC Plan) and failure to implement a Facility Response Plan (FRP), a fuel storage terminal in Guam will pay a six-figure civil penalty.
Facilities that store large volumes of oil are required to create, certify, and maintain a plan to prevent and control releases of oil to the “Waters of the United States.” This fuel terminal, located at Guam International Airport, is home to aboveground oil storage tanks with a maximum oil storage capacity of more than one million gallons, well above the volume that requires an SPCC Plan.
Learn what you need to know to create, certify, and implement a complete oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan, or SPCC Plan. At facilities that store large volumes of oil, preparing for releases is not just a smart management practice—it’s required by law.
Enroll now: Developing an SPCC Plan Online Course
A farm supplier will pay an $850,000 penalty and make $400,000 worth of improvements to better address releases of anhydrous ammonia. According to US EPA and the Department of Justice, the company pled guilty to criminal violations of the Clean Air Act in 2007, after an ammonia release hospitalized at least one worker. At that time, the company pledged to comply with safety storage and handling requirements for anhydrous ammonia.
Inspections performed years later show continuing violations of the Risk Management Program: failure to properly maintain equipment, failure to conduct hazard reviews and assess hazards, failure to develop and implement a safe operating procedure, and failure to report accidental chemical releases as required by the Clean Air Act.
WHO: A sand and gravel company
A Massachusetts sand and gravel company site that operates stone crushing equipment and engines has violated its Clean Air Act emissions limits under the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) programs. In a press release, EPA announced that the company will pay $93,500 for emission violations, will reduce emissions, and has retrofitted equipment to come into compliance.
Having a plan to prevent and control oil spills is not only a smart management practice—it’s also required by law. If your facility stores or uses large volumes of oil, you must know how EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements impact your facility to prevent releases and costly fines from US EPA.
Build the skills to create, certify, and implement a complete SPCC Plan with the Developing an SPCC Plan Online Course. If you’re new to environmental compliance or just need a crash course in the critical SPCC rules, this online course guides you through:
· Who needs an SPCC Plan
· Types of oil covered by SPCC
· Key exemptions and exclusions you may qualify for
· Oil storage and containment requirements
· SPCC oil discharge reporting
· Certification or self-certification requirements
· Facility Response Plans (FRP)
· Employee training requirements
Have you seen other recent EPA enforcement actions that your colleagues can learn from? Post them on Lion’s Facebook page here. Be sure to like our page so you never miss an update about DOT hazmat, hazardous waste, OSHA workplace safety, and EPA compliance.
All accusations of environmental violations herein are “alleged” unless otherwise noted. Lion News does not publish names of individuals or companies impacted by EPA enforcement.
WHO: A fuel terminal
WHERE: Guam International Airport
WHAT: SPCC Plan and Facility Response Plan (FRP) violations
HOW MUCH: $150,000
For failure to maintain a certified oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan (SPCC Plan) and failure to implement a Facility Response Plan (FRP), a fuel storage terminal in Guam will pay a six-figure civil penalty.Facilities that store large volumes of oil are required to create, certify, and maintain a plan to prevent and control releases of oil to the “Waters of the United States.” This fuel terminal, located at Guam International Airport, is home to aboveground oil storage tanks with a maximum oil storage capacity of more than one million gallons, well above the volume that requires an SPCC Plan.
Learn what you need to know to create, certify, and implement a complete oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan, or SPCC Plan. At facilities that store large volumes of oil, preparing for releases is not just a smart management practice—it’s required by law.
Enroll now: Developing an SPCC Plan Online Course
WHO: A farm supply cooperative
WHERE: Missouri
WHAT: Clean Air Act Risk Management Plan (RMP) violations
HOW MUCH: $1.5 million
A farm supplier will pay an $850,000 penalty and make $400,000 worth of improvements to better address releases of anhydrous ammonia. According to US EPA and the Department of Justice, the company pled guilty to criminal violations of the Clean Air Act in 2007, after an ammonia release hospitalized at least one worker. At that time, the company pledged to comply with safety storage and handling requirements for anhydrous ammonia.Inspections performed years later show continuing violations of the Risk Management Program: failure to properly maintain equipment, failure to conduct hazard reviews and assess hazards, failure to develop and implement a safe operating procedure, and failure to report accidental chemical releases as required by the Clean Air Act.
WHO: A sand and gravel company
WHERE: Amherst, MA
WHAT: Clean Air Act emissions violations
HOW MUCH: $93,000
A Massachusetts sand and gravel company site that operates stone crushing equipment and engines has violated its Clean Air Act emissions limits under the New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) and National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) programs. In a press release, EPA announced that the company will pay $93,500 for emission violations, will reduce emissions, and has retrofitted equipment to come into compliance.
New Online Course: Developing an SPCC Plan
Having a plan to prevent and control oil spills is not only a smart management practice—it’s also required by law. If your facility stores or uses large volumes of oil, you must know how EPA’s Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) requirements impact your facility to prevent releases and costly fines from US EPA.Build the skills to create, certify, and implement a complete SPCC Plan with the Developing an SPCC Plan Online Course. If you’re new to environmental compliance or just need a crash course in the critical SPCC rules, this online course guides you through:
· Who needs an SPCC Plan
· Types of oil covered by SPCC
· Key exemptions and exclusions you may qualify for
· Oil storage and containment requirements
· SPCC oil discharge reporting
· Certification or self-certification requirements
· Facility Response Plans (FRP)
· Employee training requirements
Check out the newest addition to our online course catalog now: Developing an SPCC Plan Online Course.
Tags: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines and penalties, SPCC, SPCC Plan
Find a Post
Recent Posts
Compliance Archives
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.
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.