Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 9/26

Posted on 9/26/2022 by Roger Marks

US businesses 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.

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 petrochemical manufacturer
WHERE: Haverhill, OH
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $1.1 million

For allegedly failing to adequately control emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), monitor and repair equipment, and demonstrate compliance with the Clean Air Act, a petrochemical manufacturing facility will pay a $1.1 million civil penalty.

The facility will also improve its practices for detecting and preventing fugitive emissions of HAPs from leaking equipment like valves and connectors. The Clean Air Act National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants or NESHAPs in 40 CFR Parts 61 and 63 require covered facilities to implement controls that reduce air emissions.

WHO: A chemical importer and distributor
WHERE: Carlsbad, CA
WHAT: TSCA reporting violations
HOW MUCH: $147,617

A chemical distributor will pay a civil penalty for allegedly failing to submit Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for six substances imported into the US. EPA also alleges the company failed to notify the agency 90 days before importing a chemical subject to a TSCA Significant New Use Rule (SNUR).

The TSCA CDR Rule requires covered facilities to report on their production and use of chemicals on the TSCA Inventory list if certain thresholds are exceeded (typically 25,000 lbs. or more). The definition of “manufacture” under this program includes the act of importing chemicals into the US. CDR or “Form U” reporting is collected every four years. The most recent reporting year was 2020.

WHO: An electrical equipment manufacturer
WHERE: Hingham, MA
WHAT: RCRA hazardous waste training violations
HOW MUCH: $121,546

For allegedly failing to provide initial and refresher training required for “hazardous waste personnel,” and other RCRA violations, a manufacturer of power control systems in Massachusetts will pay a $121,546 civil penalty.

EPA alleges that the facility failed to provide required training for employees, maintain a chemical release contingency plan, and perform weekly inspections of hazardous waste accumulation areas. Facilities operating under the exemption for large quantity generators must provide training and annual refresher training for personnel (40 CFR 262.17(a)(7)).

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 9/26

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: environmental compliance, EPA Enforcement Roundup, RCRA, TSCA fee

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

The instructor was excellent. They knew all of the material without having to read from a notepad or computer.

Gary Hartzell

Warehouse Supervisor

I like Lion's workshops the best because they really dig into the information you need to have when you leave the workshop.

Tom Bush, Jr.

EHS Manager

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

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

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

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

Gregory Thompson

Environmental, Health & Safety Regional Manager

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

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Knowing why TSDFs reject loads of hazardous waste—and the exact steps to follow if it happens—can reduce your anxiety and uncertainty about rejection.

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.