EPA Enforcement Roundup: Auto Parts Dealer to Pay $11 Million for RCRA Violations
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 nationwide auto parts retailer
WHERE: Riverside County, CA
WHAT: RCRA hazardous waste management violations
HOW MUCH: $11 million
A well-known retail chain that sells auto parts to consumers reached a settlement with the California Attorney General and several district attorneys throughout the state for numerous RCRA violations at 49 separate facilities in CA. These alleged violations include unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, such as batteries, aerosol cans, electronic devices, and automotive fluids. Authorities allege the company would also allow customers to dispose of automotive fluids and other regulated hazardous wastes in regular trash containers.
As part of the settlement, the company agrees to undergo general compliance audits and trash receptacle audits to ensure hazardous wastes are being properly disposed.
Strengthen your RCRA expertise and learn what you need to know to keep hazardous waste in compliance from cradle to grave. The RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Workshop comes to Charlotte, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, and other cities in July.
Can't join us live? Check out the RCRA online course or RCRA Refresher online course.
WHO: A chemical manufacturing company
WHERE: St. Helens, OR
WHAT: CERCLA, EPCRA, and Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $492,000 and $939,852 in emergency equipment
A company that manufactures anhydrous ammonia and related chemical products has agreed to pay a fine of $492,000 for violations of CERCLA and EPCRA for failure to report large, unplanned ammonia releases to local, State, and Federal agencies in 2010 and 2015. The EPA also alleges the company failed to maintain adequate Risk Management Programs as part of the Clean Air Act.
In addition to the civil penalty, the facility will provide local authorities with $939,852 in emergency response equipment to improve the ability to respond to any future releases of hazardous chemicals.
WHO: Two affiliated oil recycling facilities
WHERE: Compton, CA
WHAT: RCRA hazardous waste management violations
HOW MUCH: $39,092 and $167,967 on classroom air filtration systems
Two oil recycling companies in California have been fined $39,092 by EPA for allegedly failing to make a hazardous waste determination for certain solid waste generated on site and for failing to regularly test waste streams to determine whether waste shipped off site met land disposal restrictions standards.
The companies also agreed to install air filtration systems at nearby schools to improve indoor air quality as part of the settlement. These systems are expected to remove more than 90% of ultra-fine particulate matter and black carbon from indoor air.
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:
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 2019 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.
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 nationwide auto parts retailer
WHERE: Riverside County, CA
WHAT: RCRA hazardous waste management violations
HOW MUCH: $11 million
A well-known retail chain that sells auto parts to consumers reached a settlement with the California Attorney General and several district attorneys throughout the state for numerous RCRA violations at 49 separate facilities in CA. These alleged violations include unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, such as batteries, aerosol cans, electronic devices, and automotive fluids. Authorities allege the company would also allow customers to dispose of automotive fluids and other regulated hazardous wastes in regular trash containers.
As part of the settlement, the company agrees to undergo general compliance audits and trash receptacle audits to ensure hazardous wastes are being properly disposed.
Strengthen your RCRA expertise and learn what you need to know to keep hazardous waste in compliance from cradle to grave. The RCRA Hazardous Waste Management Workshop comes to Charlotte, Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, and other cities in July.
Can't join us live? Check out the RCRA online course or RCRA Refresher online course.
WHO: A chemical manufacturing company
WHERE: St. Helens, OR
WHAT: CERCLA, EPCRA, and Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $492,000 and $939,852 in emergency equipment
A company that manufactures anhydrous ammonia and related chemical products has agreed to pay a fine of $492,000 for violations of CERCLA and EPCRA for failure to report large, unplanned ammonia releases to local, State, and Federal agencies in 2010 and 2015. The EPA also alleges the company failed to maintain adequate Risk Management Programs as part of the Clean Air Act.
In addition to the civil penalty, the facility will provide local authorities with $939,852 in emergency response equipment to improve the ability to respond to any future releases of hazardous chemicals.
WHO: Two affiliated oil recycling facilities
WHERE: Compton, CA
WHAT: RCRA hazardous waste management violations
HOW MUCH: $39,092 and $167,967 on classroom air filtration systems
Two oil recycling companies in California have been fined $39,092 by EPA for allegedly failing to make a hazardous waste determination for certain solid waste generated on site and for failing to regularly test waste streams to determine whether waste shipped off site met land disposal restrictions standards.
The companies also agreed to install air filtration systems at nearby schools to improve indoor air quality as part of the settlement. These systems are expected to remove more than 90% of ultra-fine particulate matter and black carbon from indoor air.
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:
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 2019 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, enforcement, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, EPCRA, fines, hazardous waste, penalties, RCRA
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.