Search

EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 10/25

Posted on 10/25/2021 by Lauren Scott

Industrial facilities in the United States 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 (and growing every year).

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 chemical manufacturer
WHERE: Six locations in TX and IA
WHAT: Clean Air Act violations
HOW MUCH: $3.4 million

An international chemical manufacturer agreed to implement $50 million in upgrades and compliance measures at five company facilities in Texas and one in Iowa. The upgrades are expected to eliminate thousands of tons of air pollution and help bring the facilities into compliance with Federal and State air pollution control regulations.

According to EPA, the facilities failed to properly operate and monitor industrial flares, which resulted in excess emissions of harmful air pollution. The company also allegedly failed to comply with other key operating constraints to ensure the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants contained in the gases routed to the flares are effectively combusted.
 

WHO: A specialty pest services firm
WHERE: Tacoma, WA
WHAT: RCRA and FIFRA violations
HOW MUCH: $214,407

In March 2019, a local fire department responded to a fire at a chemical facility related to alleged mismanagement of 177.5 pounds of partially spent pesticide. According to EPA, the pesticide reacted with water in the air to produce hydrogen phosphide gas, or phosphine, which spontaneously ignited. As a result, one person working nearby was taken to the hospital due to phosphine poisoning.

The company has since closed the facility where the incident occurred and agreed to pay $180,000 for RCRA violations and $34,407 to resolve FIFRA violations. RCRA violations include receiving dangerous waste from off-site generators without a permit and storing and/or treating dangerous waste without a permit. The company allegedly violated FIFRA by disregarding the requirements of the pesticide’s label.
 

WHO: A hazardous waste treatment facility
WHERE: San Jose, CA
WHAT: RCRA violations
HOW MUCH: $25,000

EPA reached a settlement with a hazardous waste facility for improper management of hazardous waste. EPA conducted an inspection in 2019 and found that the facility violated its State hazardous waste permit by allegedly failing to replace metal tags on equipment used to transfer hazardous waste. These tags are required to help identify equipment regulated under RCRA provisions.

In addition, the company allegedly failed to separate containers of incompatible hazardous waste during storage, which can lead to employee injuries or a release to the environment through fire or explosion.
 
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, CERLCA, 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: Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, EPA, EPA Enforcement Roundup, fines, hazardous waste management, penalties, RCRA

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

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 probably the best I ever had! He made the class enjoyable, was humorous at times, and very knowledgeable.

Mary Sue Michon

Environmental Administrator

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

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

I chose Lion's online webinar because it is simple, effective, and easily accessible.

Jeremy Bost

Environmental Health & Safety Technician

One of the best trainings I have ever received!

Brandon Morfin

EH&S Manager

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

I was able to present my scenario to the instructor and worked thru the regulations together. In the past, I attended another training firm's classes. Now, I have no intention of leaving Lion!

Diana Joyner

Senior Environmental Engineer

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Look beyond the annual "Top 10 List" to see specifics about the most cited OSHA health & safety Standards and the individual regulations that tripped up employers the most last year. 

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.