Cranberry Farmer Settles Wetlands Violations
Cranberry farm
Massachusetts
EPA Region 1
CWA violations: According to EPA, the farmer illegally graded, filled, and altered wetlands in the headwaters of the Weweantic River during the unpermitted construction of two cranberry bog sites.
Penalty: $75,000 fine
Asbestos Inspectors Plead Guilty
Government inspectors
District of Columbia
EPA Region 3
Asbestos violation: According to DOJ, the inspectors advised a general contractor performing demolition at a 10-story apartment building that serious issues involving asbestos needed to be addressed. In the days that followed, the defendants showed the general contractor photos of infractions they said could result in significant fines. The parties then reached a preliminary agreement that the contractor would pay the inspectors $10,000 each to avoid the fines.
Penalty: $280,000 to $300,000 in fines
Environmental Compliance in [Your State] gives you expert analysis of your state environmental regulations, along with instant comparisons between federal and state environmental protection agency regulations. Every key 40 CFR topic is at your fingertips. Get Your Free Trial
Company Fined for RCRA Violations
Paint and coatings company
South Carolina
EPA Region 4
RCRA violation: The alleged violations include improper management of hazardous waste containers, failure to make a hazardous waste determination, failure to inspect all areas where hazardous waste containers are stored weekly, failure to develop a personnel training program, and failure to update information contained in the contingency plan.
Penalty: $55,000 fine
Refinery Violates CAA, CERCLA, EPCRA
Refinery
Kansas
EPA Region 7
CAA, CERCLA, and EPCRA violations: According to EPA, the firm allegedly made modifications to its refinery that increased emissions without first obtaining preconstruction permits and installing required pollution control equipment. The settlement also resolves violations for failure to timely notify state and local emergency responders of releases of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide, as required by CERCLA and EPCRA.
Penalty: $970,000 fine
Utility Exceeds PM Emissions Limits
Coal-fired power plant
Montana
EPA Region 8
CAA violations: According to Montana DEQ, the plant’s air quality operating permit establishes a particulate matter (PM) emissions limit of 0.26 pounds per million British thermal units (lb/MMBtu). Emissions test results for the coal-fired boiler from the December 6, 2010, compliance test indicated that the PM emissions exceeded the limit at 0.339 lb/MMBtu.
Penalty: $32,000 fine
State environmental compliance is probably your biggest job challenge—the regulations and laws are so complex and they change so fast! Take a free trial of Environmental Compliance in [Your State] and see why thousands of companies have relied on the Environmental “Red Book” for over 16 years. Get Your Free Trial
Gold Mine Fined for Incorrect TRI
Gold mine
Nevada
EPA Region 9
EPCRA violation: According to EPA, the mining facility failed to submit timely, complete, and correct TRI reports in 2005, 2006, and 2007 for toxic chemicals, such as cyanide compounds used to extract gold from the ore mined at the facility, along with other toxic chemicals, such as lead and mercury compounds, produced during the extraction process.
Penalty: $105,000 fine
Wood Mill Cited for PCB Violations
Wood products company
Oregon
EPA Region 10
PCB violations: During an EPA inspection, an inspector identified leaks in three polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-containing transformers. Federal law requires repair, containment, or replacement of leaking transformers containing PCBs. In addition, the transformers were not properly maintained and lacked necessary labels.
Penalty: $108,000 fine