EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 4/10
In this week’s EPA Enforcement Roundup, PCB-containing oil, air pollution source modifications, and a spill at a steel facility all resulted in EPA fines for noncompliance.
Seen other EPA enforcement actions your colleagues can learn from? Post them on Lion’s Facebook page here. Be sure to like our page so you never miss an update about DOT hazmat, hazardous waste, OSHA workplace safety, and EPA compliance.
All accusations of environmental violations herein are “alleged” unless otherwise noted. Lion News does not publish names of individuals or companies impacted by EPA enforcement.
For allegedly shipping waste oil containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) without a Hazardous Waste Manifest, two entities—a Connecticut city and a waste hauler—will pay fines to US EPA.
The “un-manifested” PCB-containing oil was added to other used oil, cross-contaminating 4,500 gallons in total and rendering all of the oil unrecyclable. Under TSCA, wastes that contain PCBs must be managed and disposed of according to specific rules. For the alleged violations, the city will pay $19,125 and the waste hauler will pay $32,397.
Hazardous Waste Manifests go electronic on June 30—are you ready? Find out what EPA expects from generators, transporters, and TSDFs when the new “e-Manifest” requirements take effect. Join a Lion instructor for this live webinar on April 26. In one hour, we’ll cover what you need to know to make a smooth transition to EPA’s new electronic system.
WHO: A steel manufacturer
Following a spill at its manufacturing facility in April 2017, a steel producer will reimburse Federal and State agencies for response costs and damages incurred and pay a six-figure civil penalty.
According to a Consent Decree lodged by the US Department of Justice last week, the April 2017 spill released chromium into the environment and caused four beaches and one public water drinking intake to close. Subsequently, EPA conducted inspections that uncovered noncompliance with NPDES permit requirements and failure to properly report the release as required under EPCRA.
EPA alleges that a specialty products manufacturer made major modifications to five kilns at its Woodville, Ohio facility. Under the Clean Air Act, building new sources of air pollution and modifying existing sources in certain ways require a permit. In addition, facility operators must install technologies to limit air pollution when a source is built or modified.
In addition to the permitting violations, the facility operated the newly-modified kilns in violation of NESHAP limits and Ohio’s Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan.
JOIN US LIVE! The 2018 nationwide schedule for the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is now available. Collaborate with other managers to identify the requirements that apply to your facility, ask the right questions, and make the right decisions about EPA compliance.
Complete your annual RCRA training and get up to speed on the latest rules for hazardous waste generators at Lion.com.
Build on your expertise with a streamlined RCRA refresher course you can access anytime, anywhere. You get access to fully annotated resources trusted by professionals in the field since 1977. Plus, earn CEUs and leave with a full year of Lion Membership for fast answers to your questions, exclusive content and reference materials, State hazardous waste summaries, and more.
Seen other EPA enforcement actions your colleagues can learn from? Post them on Lion’s Facebook page here. Be sure to like our page so you never miss an update about DOT hazmat, hazardous waste, OSHA workplace safety, and EPA compliance.
All accusations of environmental violations herein are “alleged” unless otherwise noted. Lion News does not publish names of individuals or companies impacted by EPA enforcement.
WHO: A Connecticut city and a waste hauler
WHERE: Ansonia and New Haven, CT
WHAT: Hazardous waste shipping and TSCA violations
HOW MUCH: $19,125 and $32,397 respectively
For allegedly shipping waste oil containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) without a Hazardous Waste Manifest, two entities—a Connecticut city and a waste hauler—will pay fines to US EPA.The “un-manifested” PCB-containing oil was added to other used oil, cross-contaminating 4,500 gallons in total and rendering all of the oil unrecyclable. Under TSCA, wastes that contain PCBs must be managed and disposed of according to specific rules. For the alleged violations, the city will pay $19,125 and the waste hauler will pay $32,397.
Hazardous Waste Manifests go electronic on June 30—are you ready? Find out what EPA expects from generators, transporters, and TSDFs when the new “e-Manifest” requirements take effect. Join a Lion instructor for this live webinar on April 26. In one hour, we’ll cover what you need to know to make a smooth transition to EPA’s new electronic system.
WHO: A steel manufacturer
WHERE: Portage, IN
WHAT: Clean Water Act and EPCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $600,000 + response costs and damages
Following a spill at its manufacturing facility in April 2017, a steel producer will reimburse Federal and State agencies for response costs and damages incurred and pay a six-figure civil penalty.According to a Consent Decree lodged by the US Department of Justice last week, the April 2017 spill released chromium into the environment and caused four beaches and one public water drinking intake to close. Subsequently, EPA conducted inspections that uncovered noncompliance with NPDES permit requirements and failure to properly report the release as required under EPCRA.
WHO: A specialty chemical producer
WHERE: Woodville, OH
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $800,000
EPA alleges that a specialty products manufacturer made major modifications to five kilns at its Woodville, Ohio facility. Under the Clean Air Act, building new sources of air pollution and modifying existing sources in certain ways require a permit. In addition, facility operators must install technologies to limit air pollution when a source is built or modified.In addition to the permitting violations, the facility operated the newly-modified kilns in violation of NESHAP limits and Ohio’s Clean Air Act State Implementation Plan.
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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, the Complete Environmental Regulations Online Course will help you quickly build in-depth expertise.JOIN US LIVE! The 2018 nationwide schedule for the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop is now available. Collaborate with other managers to identify the requirements that apply to your facility, ask the right questions, and make the right decisions about EPA compliance.
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Complete your annual RCRA training and get up to speed on the latest rules for hazardous waste generators at Lion.com.Build on your expertise with a streamlined RCRA refresher course you can access anytime, anywhere. You get access to fully annotated resources trusted by professionals in the field since 1977. Plus, earn CEUs and leave with a full year of Lion Membership for fast answers to your questions, exclusive content and reference materials, State hazardous waste summaries, and more.
Tags: Act, Air, Clean, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines and penalties, SDWA, TSCA
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