EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 1/20

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 New Jersey chemical manufacturer agreed to a $450,000 settlement with US EPA to resolve alleged TSCA violations.

Following an inspection of the NJ manufacturer’s facility, where the company produces plastic compounds used in wire and cable products, US EPA determined that the company:

• Failed to meet responsibilities for chemical reporting, recordkeeping, and notification under TSCA.
• Did not provide required PPE for workers handling polyethylene.
• Failed to meet reporting obligations for polyethylene.
• Neglected to submit mandatory chemical data reporting for twelve other substances imported by the facility in quantities greater than 25,000 pounds.

The company agreed to pay a $450,000 penalty and ensure compliance with TSCA regulations moving forward.

Truck stops in Iowa and Missouri will pay $390,784 in total to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations related to SPCC plans for oil spills.

According to the Agency, both truck stops failed adequately develop and implement Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, as required by the Clean Water Act. These regulations are intended to protect water bodies from petroleum discharges.

Facilities that store 1,320 gallons or greater of oil products in aboveground storage tanks are subject to SPCC regulations, such as:

• Inspections of tanks and piping.
• Proper containment to control petroleum releases.
• Integrity testing of petroleum storage equipment.

A Missouri cement manufacturer will pay a penalty and purchase vehicles for a local school district to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations.

The cement company allegedly failed to adequately operate leak detection systems designed to notify the company of potential releases of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs). Without a functioning leak detection system, the facility would be unaware of whether pollutant filters are operating effectively, EPA says. 

In addition to a civil penalty of $74,440, the company will spend at least $282,000 to replace two low-emission school buses for a local school district.

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 January 30–31 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, TSCA