EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 10/14

The EPA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why US EPA and State partners assess penalties for environmental noncompliance. 

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

Your EPA Enforcement Roundup for this week:

A specialty chemical and adhesives manufacturer will pay a civil penalty to resolve alleged hazardous waste violations.

The manufacturer agreed to pay a $125,900 civil penalty in the settlement with US EPA, as well as correct the violations alleged by EPA. The Agency says the manufacturer stored hazardous waste on site for more than 90 days and failed to:

• Inspect hazardous waste containers and storage tanks.
• Equip open-ended valves or lines with caps, blind flanges, plugs or a second valve.
• Maintain required documentation.

A used oil storage and processing facility will pay $57,800 to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations in Washington.

The facility, per the Agency, failed to both inspect and test its tanks and facilities for leaks and spills, and create procedures to properly notify authorities when spills occur. Both allegations are violations of the Clean Water Act’s Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure regulations; these regulations exist to prevent oil from reaching bodies of water and contain oil discharges.

A corn syrup and starch producer agreed to a $300,000+ settlement to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations related to chemical risk prevention.

Under the settlement, the company agreed to pay a $207,488 civil penalty and purchase two pickup trucks, outfit them as emergency response vehicles, and donate them to the Keokuk Fire Department. The trucks are estimated to cost about $122,000.

EPA states that the company stores over 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia and that the company failed to comply with regulations intended to protect the surrounding community from accidental releases of regulated toxic substances. Specifically, EPA says the company failed to:

• Conduct safety audits and address hazards.
• Update emergency contact information.

Complete Environmental Regulations Training

Want a clearer idea of how major EPA air, water, and chemical programs all fit together to affect your site's activities? Join in on the next Complete Environmental Regulations Webinar on December 19–20 at Lion.com.

EH&S professionals who attend can identify the regulations that apply to their facility and locate key requirements to achieve compliance with the Clean Air and Clean Water Acts to EPCRA, TSCA, Superfund, and more. Prefer to train at your own pace? Try the interactive online course.

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