Search

Biodiesel Plant Settles EPA Noncompliance Allegations for $396,000

Posted on 6/2/2016 by Roger Marks

For violations of multiple major US EPA environmental laws, a Rhode Island biodiesel plant will pay a $396,000 fine. 

While biodiesel is “environmentally important” in EPA’s words, its manufacture requires large volumes of methanol, a covered hazardous air pollutant (HAP) under the Clean Air Act. Not only did the plant have no controls in place to mitigate methanol emissions, but it also:

  • Failed to meet its responsibilities for chemical inventory reporting under the Emergency Preparedness and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA);
  • Did not prepare or implement a spill prevention, countermeasure, and control plan (SPCC Plan) as required under the Clean Water Act; and
  • Did not have in place a fire suppression system to meet Clean Air Act chemical accident prevention provisions, also known as Risk Management Planning or RMP requirements.  
These violations of EPA rules have been corrected at the plant. Since EPA uncovered the noncompliance issues, the owners installed both a new emissions control system and a fire suppression system. See the full Consent Decree at the US Department of Justice’s website, here.

EPA rules for oil and gas industry

Do You Know All the EPA Rules That Affect Your Site?


Be confident you know which of the many complex and overlapping US EPA environmental laws and regulations apply to your site and activities. At the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop, join an expert, full-time Lion instructor to identify the programs that affect your job and understand what you have to do to achieve and maintain compliance. Don’t miss this nationally trusted workshop in Cincinnati on June 6-7 and Pittsburgh on June 9-10!

Tags: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA, EPCRA, fines and penalties

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

The instructor took a rather drab set of topics and brought them to life with realistic real-life examples.

Tom Berndt

HSE Coordinator

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

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

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

Amanda Walsh

Hazardous Waste Professional

I was recently offered an opportunity to take my training through another company, but I politely declined. I only attend Lion Technology workshops.

Stephanie Gilliam

Material Production/Logistics Manager

Very good. I have always appreciated the way Lion Tech develops, presents and provides training and materials.

John Troy

Environmental Specialist

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S 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 energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

This is the best RCRA training I've experienced! I will be visiting Lion training again.

Cynthia L. Logsdon

Principal Environmental Engineer

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Your hazmat paperwork is the first thing a DOT inspector will ask for during an inspection. From hazmat training records to special permits, make sure your hazmat documents are in order.

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.