Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 11/8

Posted on 11/8/2021 by Roseanne Bottone

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 chemical manufacturer and a specialty food manufacturer
WHERE: Houlton and Searsport, ME
WHAT: Chemical risk management planning violations
HOW MUCH: Civil penalties of $305,000 and $240,919

Two separate Maine businesses face more than $500,000 in combined civil penalties for allegedly violating chemical risk management provisions of the Clean Air Act. Companies that use certain volumes of regulated chemicals must prepare and submit a Risk Management Plan (RMP) to comply with Section 112(r) of the Act.  

The chemical manufacturer uses anhydrous ammonia and aqueous ammonia in quantities requiring a Plan. They also use sulfuric acid, an extremely hazardous substance subject to the General Duty Clause (GDC) of section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. EPA also expressed concerns about maintenance of tanks and pipes at the facility.

The specialty foods company handles and stores propylene oxide, sulfuric acid, compressed natural gas, acetic anhydride, hydrogen chloride, and propane. These chemicals are also subject to RMP and other GDC chemical safety requirements. The EPA cited the facility for four serious concerns regarding their use of the chemicals at the site.
 

WHO: A pesticide seller and distributor
WHERE: Lombard, IL
WHAT: FIFRA violations 
HOW MUCH: “Stop Sale” order

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “Stop Sale” order to a limited liability corporation (LLC) ordering them to immediately cease selling and distributing an unregistered pesticide in violation of FIFRA.

The disinfection product in question lists two active pesticidal ingredients (silver and phenic acid) on the unregistered pesticide product’s label and a website. FIFRA requires the evaluation of pesticides through EPA’s registration process to ensure that the products perform as intended prior to their distribution or sale.
 

WHO: A steel manufacturer
WHERE: Canton, OH
WHAT: Clean Air Act Violations
HOW MUCH: TBD

US EPA issued a notice of violation to a steel manufacturer for excessive lead air emissions from the company’s facility. The company was cited for monthly average lead concentrations of 0.62 µg/m3 and 0.49 µg/m3 in May and July, respectively, with monitors recording over 2 µg/m3 on multiple days. 

The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for lead and its compounds is 0.15 micrograms per cubic meter (µg/m3), averaged over a 3-month period. 

Lead is a toxic heavy metal that adversely affects the nervous system, kidney function, immune system, reproductive and developmental systems, and the cardiovascular system – especially in infants and young children. There are three schools within a mile of the plant.
 

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: environmental compliance, EPA Enforcement Roundup

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

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

David Hertvik

Vice President

The instructor was very dedicated to providing a quality experience. She did her best to make sure students were really comprehending the information.

Stephanie Venn

Inventory Control Specialist

I have over 26 years of environmental compliance experience, and it has been some time since I have attended an environmental regulations workshop. I attended this course as preparation for EHS Audits for my six plants, and it was exactly what I was looking for.

Frank Sizemore

Director of Regulatory Affairs

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

Having the tutorial buttons for additional information was extremely beneficial.

Sharon Ziemek

EHS Manager

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

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.