Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 11/22

Posted on 11/22/2021 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 synthetic natural gas facility
WHERE: Kapolei, HI
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $230,000

A January 2020 EPA inspection of a natural gas facility revealed alleged violations of the Clean Air Act’s chemical release prevention and reporting requirements. Findings included failure to meet process safety requirements, failure to perform an adequate process hazards analysis and promptly address related recommendations, failure to correct equipment deficiencies, and a lack of required information in the facility’s emergency response plan.

In addition to paying a civil penalty, the company agreed to modify equipment, address audit recommendations, train maintenance employees, and complete other compliance tasks.
 

WHO: A recycling company
WHERE: Facilities in GA, OH, and UT
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $200,000

EPA announced a settlement with a regional recycling company to resolve alleged hazardous waste environmental violations at the company’s facilities in Georgia, Ohio, and Utah. The alleged RCRA violations include improper management and storage of hazardous waste without a RCRA permit.

According to EPA, the company generated a spent blast media (SBM) that is toxic for cadmium, chromium, and lead, which accumulated at all three facilities. SBM is often the product of media blasting, which is performed to remove coatings, rust, and corrosion. As part of this settlement, the recycling company will stop receipt of SBM at all facilities until the company disposes of the 3.4 million pounds of SBM currently on site.
 

WHO: A container ship
WHERE: Three ports in CA
WHAT: Vessel General Permit violations
HOW MUCH: $66,474

From November 2016 to July 2021, a container ship allegedly failed to conduct required routine visual inspections for 11 voyages to Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, and Oakland. The ship also failed to submit timely annual reports to EPA for 2016–2019. These actions are in violation of the vessel’s Vessel General Permit in accordance with the Clean Water Act.

The violations were discovered in February 2020, as part of EPA and the U.S. Coast Guard on-site visual inspections at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. EPA's settlement resolves the container ship’s violations and is subject to a 30-day public comment period prior to final approval.
 

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:
 
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, fines, hazardous waste management, penalties, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I have attended other training providers, but Lion is best. Lion is king of the hazmat jungle!!!

Henry Watkins

Hazardous Waste Technician

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

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I think LION does an excellent job of any training they do. Materials provided are very useful to my day-to-day work activities.

Pamela Embody

EHS Specialist

The instructor did an excellent job presenting a very dry subject; keeping everyone interested and making it enjoyable.

Marc Bugg

Hazardous Waste Professional

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

This was the 1st instructor that has made the topic actually enjoyable and easy to follow and understand. Far better than the "other" training providers our company has attended!

Lori Hardy

Process & Resource Administrator

Excellent class, super instructor, very easy to follow. No rushing through material. Would like to take his class again.

Lawrence Patterson

EH&S Facility Maintenance & Security Manager

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

Course instructor was better prepared and presented better than other trainers. Course manual and references were easier to use as well.

Marty Brownfield

Hazardous Waste Professional

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.