Search

Coal Company to Pay $900,000 for Alleged Clean Water Act Violations

Posted on 10/5/2016 by Roger Marks

A coal company with mining and processing facilities in Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia has to pay a $900,000 civil penalty to resolve US EPA allegations that the company violated the Clean Water Act.

According to a US EPA news release, the company allegedly violated the Clean Water Act’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requirements by exceeding the discharge limits for pollutants like aluminum, pH, manganese, iron, and total suspended solids (TSS) in its state-issued permit. In addition, EPA says, the company failed to submit proper discharge monitoring reports.
 

NPDES permit covers stormwater runoff


On top of the $900,000 penalty, the company must establish a $4.5 million trust to guarantee sufficient funding for Clean Water Act compliance. Other forms of injunctive relief required in the settlement, approximated to cost about $5 million, include:

 

  • Implementing a company-wide environmental management system to be approved by US EPA;
  • Improving management of audit results, violations, water sampling data, and compliance efforts;
  • Creating a website to post NPDES permits, discharge monitoring reports, water sampling data and more that will be publicly accessible; and
  • Conducting internal and third-party environmental audits and inspections.

US EPA and State Rules for NPDES Permits

In 40 CFR 122.26, US EPA requires certain facilities to obtain a permit in order to release pollutants to the water via stormwater discharge. States can add additional or adjusted requirements for monitoring releases, selecting control technology, reporting, recordkeeping, preventing pollution, and permit renewal. To read more about State differences for NPDES permits, read How NPDES Permits Can Vary by State.


EPA Training on Water, Air, and Chemical Rules

NPDES permitting is just one of the major EPA programs covered at Lion's popular The Complete Environmental Regulations, presented in cities nationwide. If you're responsible for ensuring site compliance with the many complex programs—from the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to TSCA, FIFRA, EPCRA, and more—this workshop will help you identify the requirements that apply to your facility and make decisions that put your environmental team in a position to succeed.

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

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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

Lion is at the top of the industry in compliance training. Course content and structure are updated frequently to make annual re-training enjoyable. I like that Lion has experts that I can contact for 1 year after the training.

Caroline Froning

Plant Chemist

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

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

The course is well thought out and organized in a way that leads to a clearer understanding of the total training.

David Baily

Hazmat Shipping Professional

As always, Lion never disappoints

Paul Resley

Environmental Coordinator

I attended training from another provider and learned absolutely nothing. Lion is much better. Hands down.

Nicole Eby

Environmental Specialist

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Four key considerations to help you maximize the convenience and quality of your experience with online training.

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.