EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 3/21

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.
 
For the second time in six months, EPA in January 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.
 

Who:  A marina and tennis club
Where: Block Island, RI
What: Clean Air Act violations
How Much: $29,900

According to EPA’s press release, the agency discovered two diesel-fired internal combustion engines operating in violation of the Clean Air Act at a marina and tennis club in Rhode Island.
The engines were used to generate power at the marina, and EPA found they were emitting carbon monoxide (CO), formaldehyde, and other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) in excess of Clean Air Act limits. In addition to paying the $29,900 civil penalty, the company has agreed to operate its older engines—the ones that caused the excess emissions—during emergency situations only (with some exceptions).
 

Who: A hydroponics supply store
Where: Northglenn, CO
What: FIFRA pesticide labeling violations
How Much: $27,500

A “high” fine for a hydroponics and organics supply store in Colorado shows one of many intersections of the burgeoning marijuana industry in certain US states and EPA’s complex environmental regulations.

A $27,500 fine may harsh this company’s mellow after US EPA allegedly uncovered pesticides repackaged for sale without proper labels, a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).
 

Who: Massachusetts DOT and a Contractor
Where: Deerfield, MA
What: Clean Water Act stormwater discharge violations
How Much:  $21,600

While working on a project to repair two bridges and relocate a stretch of highway, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and a contractor allegedly failed to take precautions against excess sediment running off the worksite into storm drains, and ultimately into the Connecticut River. According to EPA’s report on the enforcement action, these excess stormwater discharges violated the project’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for construction.
 

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 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: Act, Air, Clean, Clean Water Act, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, FIFRA