EPA Updates Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for New Power Plants

EPA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2013

 EPA Updates Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for New Power Plants
 Agency also proposes updates to oil and gas storage tank standards

WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued updates to pollution limits for new power plants under the mercury and air toxics standards, based on new information and analysis that became available to the agency after the rule was finalized. 

The updates are largely technical in nature and will have no impact on the sensible, achievable and cost-effective standards already set for existing power plants.  The public health benefits and costs of the rule remain unchanged.  EPA estimates that the standards, which will protect the health of millions of families, especially children, will prevent as many as 11,000 premature deaths and 4,700 heart attacks every year. The standards will also help America’s children grow up healthier-- preventing 130,000 cases of childhood asthma symptoms and about 6,300 fewer cases of acute bronchitis among children each year.

The updated standards only apply to future power plants and do not change the types of pollution control technology that plants would install. The updates ensure that emissions limits are achievable and that pollution levels can be measured continuously.
EPA’s mercury and air toxics standards are the first national standards to protect American families from power plant emissions of mercury and toxic air pollution like arsenic, acid gas, nickel, selenium and cyanide. EPA considered dozens of public comments from a range of stakeholders, including industry and environmental groups, as part of the public process to update the new source standards.
Also on March 28, 2013, EPA proposed updates to the agency’s 2012 performance standards for storage tanks used in oil and natural gas production.   The proposed changes reflect recent information showing that more higher-volume storage tanks will be coming on line than the agency originally estimated and would provide storage tank owners and operators additional time to comply with a requirement to reduce volatile organic compound emissions while equipment to reduce those emissions is being manufactured. EPA will take comment on today’s proposal for 30 days after it is published in the Federal Register and will hold a public hearing if requested.

More information on MATS: http://epa.gov/mats/actions.html
More information on the proposed updates to the oil and gas regulations: http://www.epa.gov/airquality/oilandgas/actions.html

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BetterWorldBooks.com

EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits

EPA Press Release:

EPA Proposes Achievable Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standard, Slashing Air Pollution and Providing Extensive Health Benefits 

Release Date: 03/29/2013

Contact Information: Enesta Jones, jones.enesta@epa.gov, 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355; ESPAŇOL: lina Younesyounes.lina@epa.gov, 202-564-9924, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON – Based on extensive input from auto manufacturers, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we drive. These cleaner fuels and cars standards are an important component of the administration’s national program for clean cars and trucks, which also include historic fuel efficiency standards that are saving new vehicle owners at the gas pump today. Once fully in place, the standards will help avoid up to 2,400 premature deaths per year and 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children.

Following a proven systems approach that addresses vehicles and fuels as an integrated system, today’s proposal will enable the greatest pollution reductions at the lowest cost. The proposal will slash emissions of a range of harmful pollutants that can cause premature death and respiratory illnesses, including reducing smog-forming volatile organic compounds and nitrogen oxides by 80 percent, establish a 70 percent tighter particulate matter standard, and reduce fuel vapor emissions to near zero. The proposal will also reduce vehicle emissions of toxic air pollutants, such as benzene and 1,3-butadiene, by up to 40 percent.

The proposal supports efforts by states to reduce harmful levels of smog and soot and eases their ability to attain and maintain science-based national ambient air quality standards to protect public health, while also providing flexibilities for small businesses, including hardship provisions and additional lead time for compliance.

“The Obama Administration has taken a series of steps to reinvigorate the auto industry and ensure that the cars of tomorrow are cleaner, more efficient and saving drivers money at the pump and these common-sense cleaner fuels and cars standards are another example of how we can protect the environment and public health in an affordable and practical way,” said EPA Acting Administrator Bob Perciasepe. “Today’s proposed standards – which will save thousands of lives and protect the most vulnerable -- are the next step in our work to protect public health and will provide the automotive industry with the certainty they need to offer the same car models in all 50 states.

By 2030, EPA estimates that the proposed cleaner fuels and cars program will annually prevent up to 2,400 premature deaths, 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children, 3,200 hospital admissions and asthma-related emergency room visits, and 1.8 million lost school days, work days and days when activities would be restricted due to air pollution. Total health-related benefits in 2030 will be between $8 and $23 billion annually. The program would also reduce exposure to pollution near roads. More than 50 million people live, work, or go to school in close proximity to high-traffic roadways, and the average American spends more than one hour traveling along roads each day.

Throughout the development of the proposal, EPA met with representatives from the automotive and oil and gas industry as well as environmental, consumer advocacy and public health organizations. Based on initial feedback from these groups and a thorough rulemaking process, EPA’s proposal is estimated to provide up to seven dollars in health benefits for every dollar spent to meet the standards. The proposed sulfur standards will cost refineries less than a penny per gallon of gasoline on average once the standards are fully in place. The proposed vehicle standards will have an average cost of about $130 per vehicle in 2025. The proposal also includes flexibilities for small businesses, including hardship provisions and additional lead time for compliance.

The proposed standards will reduce gasoline sulfur levels by more than 60 percent – down to 10 parts per million (ppm) in 2017. Reducing sulfur in gasoline enables vehicle emission control technologies to perform more efficiently. This means that vehicles built prior to the proposed standards will run cleaner on the new low-sulfur gas, providing significant and immediate benefits by reducing emissions from every gas-powered vehicle on the road.

The proposed standards will work together with California’s clean cars and fuels program to create a harmonized nationwide vehicle emissions program that enables automakers to sell the same vehicles in all 50 states. The proposal is designed to be implemented over the same timeframe as the next phase of EPA’s national program to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cars and light trucks beginning in model year 2017. Together, the federal and California standards will maximize reductions in GHGs, air pollutants and air toxics from cars and light trucks while providing automakers regulatory certainty and streamlining compliance.

Once published in the Federal Register, the proposal will be available for public comment and EPA will hold public hearings to receive further public input.

Information on EPA’s notice of proposed rulemaking: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/tier3.htm

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Bio-diesel Fuel Company Owner Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal Prison for Crimes Connected to Illegal Fuels Scheme

EPA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 29, 2013

Bio-diesel Fuel Company Owner Sentenced to 188 Months in Federal Prison for Crimes Connected to Illegal Fuels Scheme

Jeffrey Gunselman also fined $175,000 and ordered to pay nearly $55 million in restitution

WASHINGTON — Jeffrey David Gunselman, 30, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cummings to 188 months in federal prison, fined $175,000 and ordered to pay more than $54.9 million in restitution, following his guilty plea in December 2012 to an indictment charging 51 counts of wire fraud, 24 counts of money laundering and four counts of making false statements in violation of the Clean Air Act. 

“Today’s sentence is the second significant penalty against an alleged bio-diesel producer who in fact produced no fuel at all,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “These cases demonstrate that EPA and our law enforcement partners have and will catch criminals who defraud federal programs and the American people by falsely selling renewable fuel credits.”

“I commend the excellent investigative work done by special agents and investigators with EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Secret Service in this complex fraud case,” said U.S. Attorney Sarah R. Saldaña.

Gunselman admitted that from September 2010 to October 2011, he devised a scheme to defraud the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by falsely representing that he was in the business of producing bio-diesel fuel, yet Gunselman did not have a bio-diesel fuel-producing facility. Instead, Gunselman’s business operation consisted of falsely generating renewable fuel credits and selling them to oil companies and brokers. He instructed purchasers to wire payments to a bank account he solely controlled, and as a result, approximately $41,762,236 was deposited into that account.

Gunselman was the owner of Absolute Fuels, LLC, dba Absolute Fuels, LLC (Absolute Fuels), which he formed in April 2009. He was also named as Governing Person and/or as Registered Agent for other business entities associated with Absolute Fuels, LLC, including Absolute Fuels, LLC; Absolute Milling, LLC; Ellipse Energy, LLC; 21 Investments, LLC; and YGOG Holdings, LLC. However, Gunselman admitted that these entities are solely alter egos of himself, as an individual, as he alone owns, manages, directs and controls each of them and each has no separate and distinct existence from him.

From September 2010 to mid-October 2011, Gunselman conducted 51 fraudulent transactions, which were transmitted by wire communications, that represented to the EPA that bio-diesel fuel had been produced at the Absolute Fuels facility in Anton, Texas, when in fact, no bio-diesel fuel had been produced.  This ultimately resulted in Gunselman requesting and receiving payments, by electronic funds transfer, of approximately $41,762,236.

During the same time period, Gunselman engaged in monetary transactions in criminally derived property by purchasing real and personal property valued at approximately $12 million with the funds derived from the wire fraud. Included in that property are: several vehicles, including a Bentley, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Cadillac and Shelby Cobra; a Patton Military Tank; a Gulfstream airplane, professional basketball season tickets and corporate sponsorship; and agricultural, business and residential real estate.

The false statements convictions stem from Gunselman making material false statements to the EPA, falsely claiming and representing that bio-diesel fuel, a renewable fuel, had been produced, generating renewable fuel credits, when Gunselman well knew that no bio-diesel fuel had been produced.

The case was investigated by the EPA Criminal Investigation Division and the U.S. Secret Service.

More information about EPA’s criminal enforcement program: http://epa.gov/enforcement/criminal/index.html

                       

More information about RFS enforcement: http://www.epa.gov/enforcement/air/renewable-fuels/fuel-novs.html

Here’s What They’re Saying about EPA’s Proposed Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standards

EPA News Release:

UPDATE

Here’s What They’re Saying about EPA’s Proposed Cleaner Fuels and Cars Standards
Release Date: March 29, 2013
Contact Information: press@epa.gov

WASHINGTON – Based on extensive input from auto manufactures, refiners, and states, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today proposed sensible standards for cars and gasoline that will significantly reduce harmful pollution, prevent thousands of premature deaths and illnesses, while also enabling efficiency improvements in the cars and trucks we drive. These cleaner fuels and cars standards are an important component of the administration’s national program for clean cars and trucks, which also include historic fuel efficiency standards that are saving new vehicle owners at the gas pump today. Once fully in place, the standards will help avoid up to 2,400 premature deaths per year and 23,000 cases of respiratory ailments in children.

Martin O’Malley, Governor of Maryland
“The new motor fuel standards proposed today by the Environmental Protection Agency under President Obama’s leadership will help Maryland reach its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. Reductions from mobile sources are one of the most important strategies needed to provide clean air to Maryland’s citizens for generations to come. Today’s actions will also provide a significant benefit to the Chesapeake Bay as approximately one-third of its nitrogen issues are caused by air pollution. By proposing these new robust vehicle and fuel quality standards, President Obama and the EPA have made a strong commitment to protecting the public’s health and our environment. Together with our federal partners, we can create a more sustainable future for our children.”

Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts

 ”I applaud President Obama and the EPA for issuing this new rule, which is a significant step forward in reducing air pollution from vehicles.  This rule means cleaner cars and cleaner fuels, which in turn means healthier communities across the country,” said Governor Deval Patrick.  ”This common sense regulation is a victory for a cost-effective and sensible way to clean our air.”

Dannel P. Malloy, Governor of Connecticut

 “EPA’s proposed Tier 3 vehicle standards and cleaner gasoline will give our state immediate air quality benefits, which will only grow over time as new cars enter the marketplace.  In Connecticut, we are taking action to show that we can have a strong economy and a healthy environment, and the new standards for motor vehicles and fuels announced today by EPA are consistent with our approach.  I applaud EPA’s help taking on the most significant source of air pollution – cars, trucks and other so-called mobile sources – and look forward to prompt finalization of the rule so we all breathe cleaner air.”

U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, Rhode Island

“Today the Obama Administration took much-needed action to reduce air pollution and protect the health of our citizens.  Rhode Islanders, particularly seniors, children, and those with asthma, have suffered for too long from the so-called ‘bad air days’ that can land them in the hospital.  This new standard means cleaner gasoline and cleaner vehicles, which will help us prevent a major source of the air pollution that causes those bad air days. This is a big step forward for public health.”

Robert M. Pestronk, MPH, Executive Director, National Association of County and City Health Officials
“On behalf of America’s 2,800 local health departments, NACCHO applauds the Environmental Protection Agency’s proposed standards for cleaner gasoline and cars. The updated standards prevent illness, preserve health and help reduce health care costs. Standards like these help local health departments keep people healthy and safe by improving air quality.” 

U.S. Sen. Kristen Gillibrand, N.Y.  
“The implementation of Tier 3 emission standards is a big step forward for Americans,” said Senator Gillibrand. “More stringent emission standards would significantly decrease air pollution, create new jobs and increase worker’s economic productivity by reducing the number of sick days they take from lung and heart related ailments.  We’ve cleared a crucial step in the process, and I will continue to urge the Administration to move quickly to finalize the rule this year”

Paul Billings, Senior Vice President, American Lung Association
 “Pollution from cars, light trucks, and SUVs kills and makes people sick. Stronger standards that lower sulfur levels in gasoline and cut toxic tailpipe pollutants will pave the way to a healthier future.  Using lower sulfur gasoline in cars currently on the road will reduce as much pollution as taking 33 million cars off the road.  Passenger vehicles are major sources of ozone and particle pollution that pose serious threats to public health. This pollution triggers asthma attacks, worsens lung and heart health and can even lead to early death. Children, the elderly and those with chronic lung and heart health problems are most vulnerable to traffic-related pollution.”

Georges Benjamin, Executive Director, American Public Health Association
“The return on investment of these important standards measured in both health savings and deaths averted is hugely significant and should not be overlooked.  Reducing dangerous tailpipe emissions from cars will deliver between $8 and $23 billion in national health benefits annually by 2030 and prevent tens of thousands of asthma attacks, hospitalizations and early deaths. “

Gloria Bergquist, Spokeswoman, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers “This is a big step forward for this country to catch up to the clean fuels available in other industrialized nations.  Automakers have already reduced vehicle emissions by 99 percent, and we’re working to go further while also delivering high quality, affordable vehicles to our customers.”

Dan Wyant, Director, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality“Michigan’s automobile industry continues producing vehicles that are more fuel efficient and better for the state’s air quality. The EPA’s proposed Tier 3 fuel standard will further the goal of cleaner air.” 

Shannon Baker-Branstetter, Policy Counsel for Consumers Union“Vehicles have gotten cleaner over the years, but unfortunately too many Americans still struggle with health issues like asthma and respiratory problems that come from breathing in air heavy with smog and other pollutants.  These standards are expected to be highly cost-effective in cleaning up gasoline and tailpipe emissions. These minimal costs will be largely outweighed by the savings that come from the huge health benefits we get from cleaner air.”

Bill Becker, Executive Director, National Association of Clean Air Agencies
“The new standard could be ‘the most significant air pollution policy President Obama will adopt in his second term. . . . There is not another air pollution control strategy that we know of that will produce as substantial, cost-effective and expeditious emissions reductions.”

Luke Tonachel, Senior Vehicles Analyst, Natural Resources Defense Council
“These common-sense standards will save lives, save money and clean up our air - all at a minimal cost.  Big Oil companies want us to believe these benefits aren’t worth it. But that’s because they care about profits above all else.”

Frank O’Donnell, President, Clean Air Watch  
“I think this proposal is the single most effective step EPA can take right now to reduce smog.”

Statement from the Emissions Control Technology Association
As the companies who have developed the cutting edge technology to reduce mobile source emissions by more than 90 percent, the Emissions Control Technology Association (ECTA) commends President Obama’s leadership in proposing a Tier 3 regulation that will improve public health and strengthen our domestic manufacturing base. The benefits of Tier 3 will far outweigh the cost.

Michelle Robinson, Director of Clean Vehicles Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
“The path from a car’s tailpipe to our lungs is surprisingly short, and more than 1 in 3 Americans live in areas where air pollution levels exceed at least one federal limit.  Today’s proposal is a common-sense step that will protect our health while growing our economy.”

Michael Brune, Sierra Club, Executive Director
“With these expected cleaner tailpipe standards, President Obama is taking a strong step to protect our public health and secure his clean energy legacy. We have the technology to clean up our fuels and our cars and it’s critical that we put them to work to ensure Americans have the safe, breathable air they deserve.  Cutting smog and other toxic air pollution will help American children breath cleaner air and will save lives. These new standards will save billions annually in health costs and will free American families from some of the crippling effects of respiratory disease, asthma attacks and other severe health problems.”

Michael Stanton, President and CEO, Global Automakers 
 “We have been anxiously awaiting this rulemaking because it is good for the environment and will help harmonize the federal and California programs for both vehicles and fuels.  With 15 million new vehicle sales a year, automakers need predictable national fuel quality at the retail pump.  Ultra-low sulfur gasoline is already available in California, Europe, and Japan and will enable automakers to use a broader range of technologies to meet the significant environmental challenges facing the industry.”

Mark MacLeod, Environmental Defense Fund
 “The new Tier 3 standards will make our cars cleaner, and that means we’ll have cleaner air to breathe.  Reducing tailpipe pollution will provide healthier, longer lives for millions of Americans for less than a penny per gallon of gas. That’s why updating the standards has such broad support from U.S. auto makers, state health commissioners, and health advocates.”

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Hares and Rabbits Are Freezing to Death This Easter - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Hares and Rabbits Are Freezing to Death This Easter - SPIEGEL ONLINE

Federal Court Approves Settlement of Environmental Claims Against Weylchem US, Inc. Facilities in Elgin and Lugoff, South Carolina

PRESS NOTICE 
BILL NETTLES
UNITED STATES ATTORNEY
DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
1441 Main Street, Suite 500 * Columbia, SC 29201 * (803) 929-3000
 
March 26, 2013
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT PERSON: James Leventis, AUSA
                                James.Leventis@usdoj.gov                                         
                                (803) 929-3172
 
                                Dawn Harris-Young
Harris-Young.Dawn@epa.gov 
(404) 562-8421
 
Federal Court Approves Settlement of Environmental Claims Against Weylchem US, Inc. Facilities in Elgin and Lugoff, South Carolina
 
COLUMBIA – U.S. Attorney Bill Nettles, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that United States District Court Judge Cameron Currie approved a consent decree with Weylchem US, Inc. to resolve alleged violations of federal and state air, water, and solid waste pollution laws at Weylchem’s specialty chemical manufacturing facility in Elgin and its wastewater treatment plant in Lugoff.  Under the consent decree, Weylchem agreed to perform corrective action measures and to pay a civil penalty of $500,000, of which $175,000 will be paid to the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. 
 
The facility has operated in Elgin since 1967 under various names including Elgin Fine Chemicals, Clariant LSM (America) Inc., and Archimica Inc.  The facility produces chemicals for use in pharmaceuticals, pesticides and other products. 
 
The consent decree addresses alleged violations including the mismanagement of hazardous waste under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and South Carolina regulations, and standards for hazardous air pollutant emissions under the Clean Air Act.  Alleged violations at the Lugoff facility include discharges to the Wateree River that exceeded permitted limits for many of the contaminants of concern under the Clean Water Act.  Contaminants of concern include benzene, benzoyl chloride, chlorine, ethyl chloride, ethylene glycol, methanol, methylene chloride, phenol, toluene, and xylene. 
 
U.S. Attorney Nettles expressed his satisfaction with the consent decree, “After years of negotiations, this consent decree is good news for the Lugoff and Elgin communities and the people of South Carolina.  Of particular significance is the fact that this consent decree requires Weylchem U.S. to eliminate the discharge to the Wateree River and to stop trucking the waste from Elgin to Lugoff, which of course means that there is no opportunity for a spill on our highways.”
 
“This agreement will result in better management practices that will ultimately lead to greater protection of public health and the environment for the citizens of South Carolina,” said Gwen Keyes Fleming, Regional Administrator for EPA.
 
Under the terms of the settlement, Weylchem will no longer be allowed to send wastewater from the Elgin facility to the Lugoff facility and by the end of 2013 will be prohibited from discharging any wastewater into the Wateree River at the Lugoff facility.  In addition to eliminating discharge into the Wateree River, the settlement will also result in the elimination of noise and pollution from approximately 30 tanker truck trips per day over public roads and the potential for spills of industrial wastewater during transport.
 
The facility has already completed a project to reduce its air emissions by improving its air pollution control equipment. The settlement also requires Weylchem to make significant changes to the current operations at the Elgin facility.  The corrective actions include addressing fugitive air emissions by implementing an enhanced leak testing and repair regime based on the results of a third-party audit.  Weylchem will also test its waste tanks and basins, and sample wastewater and sediment at the Elgin facility, and, if the tests show that tanks or basins are leaking, will make necessary repairs and address potential impacts to the environment.  Furthermore, Weylchem has agreed to investigate possible soil or groundwater contamination at the Lugoff site and, if contamination is discovered, to develop and implement a cleanup plan.
 
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EPA Provides Over $80,000 in Funding to Provide Training in Environmental Careers for Bronx High School Students

EPA Press Release:

EPA Provides Over $80,000 in Funding to Provide Training in

Environmental Careers for Bronx High School Students

 Contact: John Martin, (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov 

 (New York, N.Y. – March 28, 2013) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $82,000 to encourage careers in environmental protection among Bronx high school students. The funding will be used to educate New York City high school students about water quality and wastewater treatment and prepare them for environmental careers.

“The EPA encourages young people to learn more about their local environment and get involved in projects to protect it,” said EPA Regional Administrator Judith A. Enck. "This grant will give participating students the tools to work in the environmental field.”

The New York City "Youth in the Environment" initiative will place high school students in a mentored summer work program with New York City's Department of Environmental Protection. The students will work in the DEP’s wastewater division, where they will be trained in health and safety, and will learn about educational and career opportunities in environmental fields. This program will provide the students with the workforce skills needed in the fields of water and wastewater treatment, while reinforcing interests in math, science, technology and teamwork.

This grant will also provide opportunities for up to six New York City college students to serve as youth mentors for the program's high school students.

For more information on water pollution control program grants, visit:http://water.epa.gov/grants_funding/cwf/pollutioncontrol.cfm

Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter at http://twitter.com/eparegion2 and Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/eparegion2

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Company to Purchase Emergency Response Equipment for Fairfield Conn. under EPA Settlement

EPA News Release:

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
March 28, 2013

Contact: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

Company to Purchase Emergency Response Equipment for Fairfield Conn. under EPA Settlement

(Boston, Mass. – Mar. 28, 2013) – A Fairfield, Conn. company that develops and produces specialty metal and chemical products will pay a $13,250 penalty, and in addition will purchase at least $47,900 worth of equipment for the Fairfield fire department to settle EPA claims that it violated environmental right-to-know requirements.

According to a recent settlement with EPA, 5N Plus Inc. allegedly violated the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) by failing to report hazardous chemical inventories to the local fire department and to other emergency responders. The company also failed to report the use and potential release of the toxic chemicals, lead and selenium, under the Toxic Release Inventory, a national database of toxic chemical use available to the public.

The company’s failure to report and file appropriate forms deprives the community of its right to know about chemicals present in the neighborhood. This failure also prevents emergency responders from being aware of hazardous chemicals at the facility in the case of an emergency.

As part of the settlement, the company will purchase emergency response equipment for use by the Fairfield Fire Department and the Fairfield County Hazardous Incident emergency response teams. This equipment includes a multifunction utility vehicle, a skid unit, a trailer for the utility vehicle, hazardous material detection devices and calibration aids.

The utility vehicle will be used to help emergency responders address large impacted areas and will also help in distribution of emergency response equipment and protective clothing. The vehicle will also help emergency responders get to areas not accessible by standard vehicles.
Also as part of the agreement, 5N Plus certified that it is in compliance with the federal law.

More information on Enforcing the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act in New England: (http://www.epa.gov/region1/enforcement/epcra/index.html)

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Looking for Job Training? Enjoy Working Outdoors? Come to Info Session April 8 or 9

EPA Press Release:

Looking for Job Training? Enjoy Working Outdoors?

Come to Info Session April 8 or 9

Join us at an Information Session to learn more about the Superfund Job Training Initiative for the Coeur d’Alene Basin. EPA is offering a program to train local residents for environmental jobs in the area. This program will  provide participants with several certifications and prepare them for careers in environmental cleanup work. Training is free to participants.

To be considered for the program, you must attend an Information Session:

• April 8 at 1 pm, or
• April 9 at 9 am

Health and Education Center (the old call center)

858 Commerce Drive

Smelterville, ID 83868

More Details (http://www.epa.gov/region10/pdf/sites/bunker_hill/jti_flyer_april2013.pdf)

Join the conversation about the Coeur d'Alene Basin cleanup on EPA's Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CDAbasin).

EPA Finalizes Vessel General Permit

EPA Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 28, 2013

EPA Finalizes Vessel General Permit
Action will help protect U.S. water quality and reduce risk of invasive species 
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a final vessel general permit regulating discharges from commercial vessels, including ballast water, to protect the nation’s waters from ship-borne pollutants and reduce invasive species in U.S. waters.

The final vessel general permit covers commercial vessels greater than 79 feet in length, excluding military and recreational vessels, and will replace the 2008 vessel general permit due to expire on Dec. 19, 2013.

This permit regulates 27 specific discharge categories, and will also provide improvements to the efficiency of the permit process, and clarify discharge requirements by the following:

- Reduce the risks of introduction of invasive species. The permit includes a more stringent numeric discharge standard limiting the release of non-indigenous invasive species in ballast water. The permit also contains additional environmental protection for the Great Lakes, which have suffered disproportionate impacts from invasive species, aligning federal standards with many Great Lakes states by requiring certain vessels to take additional precautions to reduce the risk of introducing new invasive species to U.S. waters. 

- Reduce administrative burden for vessel owners and operators. The permit will eliminate duplicative reporting requirements, expand electronic recordkeeping opportunities, and reduce self-inspection frequency for vessels that are out of service for extended periods. 

The new discharge standards are supported by independent studies by EPA’s science advisory board and the National Research Council, and are consistent with those contained in the International Maritime Organization’s 2004 Ballast Water Convention. EPA is issuing the permit in advance of the current permit's expiration to provide the regulated community time and flexibility to come into compliance with the new requirements.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/npdes/vessels


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DOE Awards Research and Systems Engineering Task Order

DOE Awards Research and Systems Engineering Task Order

U.S. EPA, Hawaii Department of Health fine ship repair co. more than $700,000 for water pollution violations

EPA Press Release:

For Immediate Release:  March 28, 2013

Contact:  David Yogi, 415-972-3350, yogi.david@epa.gov 

U.S. EPA, Hawaii Department of Health fine ship repair co. more than $700,000 for water pollution violations

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Hawaii State Department of Health announced today their settlement with Marisco Ltd. including civil penalties of $710,000 for water pollution control violations at its ship repair and drydock facilities at Kalaeloa Barbers Point Harbor on Oahu. This is the largest Clean Water Act civil penalty against a ship repair facility nationwide.

The settlement, a consent decree, was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval.

“To protect Hawaii’s precious coastal waters and coral reefs, ship repair facilities must have pollution controls in place,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Our action will help improve Oahu’s water quality by having Marisco redesign its operations to comply with federal law."

"Our Clean Water team is committed to guarding the quality of Hawaii's waters," said Gary Gill, Deputy Director, Environmental Health Administration, Hawaii State Department of Health. "We work hand-in-hand with EPA to perform the tough field work necessary to protect Hawaii's people and the island environment from pollution."

EPA’s complaint against Marisco finds that the company failed to implement water pollution controls required by its Clean Water Act discharge permit at its main ship repair facility and at its separate 3,500 metric ton “Lil’ Perris” floating drydock.  During an inspection in 2008, EPA and Hawaii DOH observed storage of leaking equipment, workers washing down work areas directly into the harbor, and sandblast material from Marisco’s operations discharged into the harbor.

In addition to the civil penalties, the settlement requires Marisco to use clean water to wash the drydock after paint removal and sandblasting, collect the water used for washing, and treat it to ensure that it is not discharged when the drydock is lowered into the harbor.

EPA and DOH’s actions will ensure that Marisco’s discharges meet the Clean Water Act permit effluent limits, particularly for copper and zinc. Marisco must treat and dispose the water used for washing the drydock in accordance with federal, state and local laws and ordinances. These actions should result in the reduction of about 295 pounds per year of copper, 94 pounds per year of zinc, 14 pounds of solids and 8 pounds of oil and grease to the harbor waters.

The consent decree may be viewed at: www.justice.gov/enrd/Consent_Decrees.html  

For more information, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/compliance.html,http://www.epa.gov/region9/water/npdes/index.html

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Alaska seafood processors settle with EPA for Clean Water Act waste discharge violations

EPA Press Release:

Alaska seafood processors settle with EPA for Clean Water Act waste discharge violations

CONTACT: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov

(Seattle--March 28, 2013) Two seafood processors operating in Alaskan waters failed to comply with Clean Water Act permits that regulate seafood waste discharges, according to settlement agreements with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Aleutian Leader Fisheries and Salamatof Seafoods agreed to settle the violations with EPA in separate agreements and pay fines.

“Clean Water Act permits protect Alaska’s important marine habitat and the ocean food chain,” said Jeff KenKnight, manager of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Compliance Unit at the EPA office in Seattle. “All seafood processors need to comply with permit requirements to level the playing field for businesses and ensure that everyone is doing their part to protect the environment.”

The Clean Water Act requires vessels and shore-based seafood processing facilities to grind seafood waste to a maximum size of ½ inch in order to increase dispersion of solids into the ocean. This ½ inch grind requirement was created specifically to protect remote areas of Alaska.

Aleutian Leader Fisheries LLC

EPA inspected the vessel F/V Judi B and the company’s office records in March 2012 and identified a series of permit violations, including failure to sample effluent for metals; failure to keep inspection logs of equipment and seafood waste size; failure to submit reports describing annual operations; and failure to develop a best management practices plan that would be protective of the marine environment.

The F/V Judi B operates in the North Pacific Ocean and harvests pacific cod, sablefish, turbot, rockfish and skate.  

The violations occurred between 2008 and 2011. The company agreed to pay $59,000 to settle the violations.

Salamatof Seafoods, Inc.

The Salamatof Seafoods shore-based facility is authorized to discharge seafood waste into the Kenai River. During a 2008 inspection, the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation found that the facility had several violations of its permit including failure to monitor the seafloor in the area it discharges; failure to ensure the discharged seafood waste met minimal size requirements; and failure to repair an outfall in a timely manner. 

In addition, the company failed to submit annual reports that inform agencies of the use and potential degradation of natural resources. EPA fined Salamatof Seafoods in 2008 for previously failing to file annual reports.

EPA relied on inspection reports from the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to identify violations and reach a settlement.

The facility processes cod, halibut, rockfish and salmon. The violations occurred between 2008 and 2012. The company agreed to pay $45,000 to settle the violations.

U.S. Rivers & Streams are Unclean | 2013-03-26 | Pollution Engineering

U.S. Rivers & Streams are Unclean | 2013-03-26 | Pollution Engineering

Old Town, Maine Pulp Mill Pays Fine for Clean Water Act Violations

News Release
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
New England Regional Office
March 27, 2013 

Contact:  David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

Old Town, Maine Pulp Mill Pays Fine for Clean Water Act Violations

 

(Boston, Mass. – Mar. 27, 2013) – Red Shield Acquisition LLC has agreed to pay a $126,000 fine to resolve claims that it violated the terms of wastewater and stormwater permits at its Old Town, Maine pulp mill, in violation of the Clean Water Act.

EPA alleged that Red Shield, which does business under the trade name Old Town Fuel & Fiber, discharged process wastewater and stormwater from the facility in violation of the terms and conditions of permits issued by the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection.  According to EPA, Red Shield failed to comply with the requirement under its wastewater permit to properly operate and maintain all components of the wastewater treatment system at the facility.  EPA also alleged that Red Shield failed to adequately maintain control measures put in place to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges from the facility and failed to properly prepare a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for the site.  Red Shield also violated the federal Oil Pollution Prevention Regulations by failing to fully maintain and implement its Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure Plan.

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of process wastewater in violation of the terms and conditions of a permit and requires that industrial facilities, such as pulp mills, have controls in place to minimize pollutants from being discharged with stormwater into nearby waterways. Each site must have a stormwater pollution prevention plan that sets guidelines and best management practices that the company will follow to prevent runoff from being contaminated by pollutants. Without on-site controls, runoff from pulp mills can flow directly to the nearest waterway and can have significant effects on water quality and the aquatic ecosystem, including effects on oxygen demand, interference with photosynthesis, and disruption to the aquatic food chain.

Every year, thousands of gallons of oil are spilled from oil storage facilities, polluting New England waters. Even the effects of smaller spills add up and damage aquatic life, as well as public and private property. Spill prevention plans are critical to prevent such spills or, if they do occur, adequately address them.

The company cooperated with EPA throughout its investigation, and since EPA’s Complaint was filed in August 2012, the company has completed some work and pledged to complete additional work to fix the problems identified at the facility.

More information on EPA enforcement of Clean Water Act in New England: http://www.epa.gov/region1/enforcement/water/index.html

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