Lion.com will undergo scheduled maintenance at 5 PM ET on Friday, September 5. Intermittent service interruptions may occur.
Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 5/30

Posted on 5/30/2022 by Lauren Scott

Industrial facilities in the United States are subject to complex, overlapping environmental regulations concerning air emissions, discharges to water, hazardous waste management and disposal, oil spills, chemical management, and more. Failure to comply with all applicable US EPA requirements can result in future liability and civil penalties as high as $100,000+ per day, per violation (and growing every year).

The EPA enforcement actions highlighted below provide insight into how and why the Agency assesses civil penalties for environmental noncompliance. All violations mentioned are alleged unless we indicate otherwise.

We withhold the names of organizations and individuals subject to enforcement to protect their privacy.
 

WHO: A waste incineration facility
WHERE: Cottage Grove, MN
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $2.8 million

An investigation by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concluded that employees at a now-closed incinerator improperly labeled and handled hazardous waste on numerous occasions since 1996. The Agency also claims that the incinerator failed to monitor levels of hazardous materials , such as mercury, lead, and nickel in certain waste streams between 2014 and 2020.

The facility made two dozen corrections to resolve the alleged violations and achieve compliance with its hazardous waste permit. In August 2021, the company announced plans to shut down the incinerator and shift operations to another facility in Massachusetts.
 

WHO: A power station
WHERE: Pueblo, CO
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $925,000

EPA reached an agreement with a power hub in Colorado to resolve alleged groundwater contamination issues and ensure the proper closure of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) surface impoundments. Produced primarily from the burning of coal, CCR is a large industrial waste stream that can contain harmful levels of contaminants such as mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. Without proper management, contaminants from CCR can pollute waterways, groundwater, drinking water, and the air.

According to the agreement, the company failed to monitor groundwater under the facility, conduct statistical analysis of groundwater data, and establish groundwater background contaminant concentrations. The company has agreed to design a groundwater monitoring system that meets CCR program requirements and implement a corrective measures plan.
 

WHO: A construction equipment company
WHERE: Lancaster, MA
WHAT: Clean Water Act violations
HOW MUCH: $18,000

According to EPA, a New England construction company allegedly failed to obtain permit coverage at a construction site in Lancaster, MA. Due to a lack of erosion controls at the site, sediment runoff from this site impacted nearby wetlands. Dirt, sediment, and other pollutants carried off construction sites can damage aquatic habitat, contribute to algal blooms, and physically clog streams and pipes.

The company has since agreed to pay the civil penalty and adhere to the terms of its permit for discharging stormwater. All construction sites one acre or larger with the potential to discharge stormwater to surface waters are required to obtain coverage under EPA's General Permit for Discharges from Construction Activities, comply with the terms of the permit, and thereby minimize sediment discharges.
 

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, CERCLA, 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:
 
Complete Environmental Regulations
Clean Air Act Regulations Online
TSCA Regulations Online
Clean Water Act & SDWA Regulations Online
Superfund and Right-to-Know Act Regulations Online 
 

Tags: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, hazardous waste management, RCRA, roundup

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

The workshop covered a lot of information without being too overwhelming. Lion is much better, more comprehensive than other training providers.

George Alva

Manufacturing Manager

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I had a positive experience utilizing this educational program. It was very informative, convenient, and rewarding from a career perspective.

John Gratacos

Logistics Manager

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

Lion provided an excellent introduction to environmental regulations, making the transition to a new career as an EHS specialist less daunting of a task. Drinking from a fire hose when the flow of water is lessened, is much more enjoyable!

Stephanie Weathers

SHE Specialist

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

Excellent job. Made what is very dry material interesting. Thoroughly explained all topics in easy-to-understand terms.

David Hertvik

Vice President

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Explore ten hazardous waste management errors that caused generators in California the most trouble last year.

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.