EPA and Baltimore's CNX Marine Terminals, Inc. Settle Water and Waste Violations

Press release:

EPA and Baltimore's CNX Marine Terminals, Inc. Settle Water and Waste Violations

PHILADELPHIA (August 23, 2012) -- CNX Marine Terminals, Inc. has agreed to pay a $34,600 penalty to settle alleged violations of federal environmental laws involving the discharge of pollutants in stormwater runoff, the operation and maintenance of underground storage tank systems and waste storage, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The alleged violations were at the CNX terminal at 3800 New Gate Ave., Baltimore, Md.

According to the consent agreement and final order, the specific alleged violations include unauthorized stormwater discharges from a pipe into the Janney Run Creek, failure to properly operate and maintain the release detection system on a 2,000-gallon underground storage tank, failure to conduct a line tightness test on the underground storage tank every three years, and failure to properly store used fluorescent lamps.

The $34,600 settlement penalty reflects the cooperation of CNX Marine Terminals with EPA's investigation.

Uncontrolled stormwater runoff often contains sediment, suspended solids, oxygen-demanding compounds and other pollutants that can harm our nation's waterways. Under the Clean Water Act, facilities must obtain permits issued by EPA or the state environmental agency before discharging stormwater runoff into waterways. These permits include requirements for erosion and sediment controls and precautionary best management practices such as spill prevention safeguards, material storage, and employee training.

Underground storage tanks (UST) must be tested to prevent leaks because the greatest potential threat from a leaking UST is contamination of groundwater, the source of drinking water for nearly half of all Americans. These leaks can threaten public safety and health as well as the environment because UST systems contain hazardous and toxic chemicals. Cleaning up petroleum leaks is difficult and usually expensive. Federal regulations ensure that USTs are structurally sound because it is easier and less costly to prevent leaks before they happen.

Spokane concrete and asphalt manufacturer fails to disclose use of chemicals

Press release:

Spokane concrete and asphalt manufacturer fails to disclose use of chemicals

Contact Info: Hanady Kader, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-0454, kader.hanady@epa.gov
Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, 206-553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—Aug. 23, 2012) CPM Development Corporation, a concrete and asphalt manufacturing facility, failed to report toxic chemical use at its Spokane, Washington facility under federal community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has submitted the missing reports outlining chemical use and disposal at its facility, and will pay a fine.

“Companies have a responsibility to nearby communities to be transparent about the chemicals they use,” said Kim Ogle, Manager of the Inspection and Enforcement Management Unit in EPA’s Seattle office. “Many chemicals, such as lead, are especially harmful to children.”

EPA found that the company failed to report on time for its processing of lead compounds and nitrate compounds in 2010. During that year, the company processed more than 100 pounds of lead compounds and more than 25,000 pounds of nitrate compounds, the threshold amounts that trigger reporting requirements under the federal Toxics Release Inventory program.

Lead is a persistent, toxic chemical that can accumulate in our bodies and is especially harmful to young children. Nitrates can cause dangerous blood conditions, low blood pressure and are particularly harmful to pregnant women and children.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management of those chemicals at their facilities. The TRI program is under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

The company has agreed to pay a $25,400 penalty.

For more information on the Toxics Release Inventory, visit: http://www.epa.gov/tri/

Three Utah facilities to pay penalties for Risk Management Program violations

Press release:

Three Utah facilities to pay penalties for Risk Management Program violations

Clean Air Act requirements designed to prevent accidental releases of hazardous chemicals

Contacts: David Cobb, 303-312-6592; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Three facilities in Utah -- Utah Olympic Park (Park City), Duchesne Valley Water Treatment Plant (Duchesne), and Ashley Valley Water Treatment Plant (Vernal) -- have agreed to pay civil penalties and correct violations associated with the safe management and use of hazardous chemicals.

The penalties, collectively totaling $11,650 at all three sites, were assessed under the federal Clean Air Act which requires the development of Risk Management Programs for all public and private facilities that manufacture, process, use, store, or otherwise handle flammable and toxic chemicals such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia.
"These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases."

By agreeing to the settlements, all three facilities have certified that they are now in compliance with federal Risk Management Program regulations. Utah Olympic Park will pay total penalties of $7,000. Duchesne Valley Water Treatment Plant will pay total penalties of $2,470. Ashley Valley Water Treatment Plant will pay total penalties of $2,180. Duchesne Valley and Ashley Valley are both owned and operated by the Central Utah Water Conservancy District.

EPA inspected the three facilities in 2011 and found various violations of Risk Management Program regulations designed to prevent accidental chemical releases and minimize the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur. The three Utah facilities are subject to these regulations because they store highly toxic chemicals above regulatory thresholds.

The establishment of effective risk management plans help companies, industries and municipalities operate responsibly, assist emergency responders by providing vital information necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protect the environment by preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keep communities safer.

For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm

Colorado ethanol plant to pay $5,850 penalty for Risk Management Program violations

Press release:

Colorado ethanol plant to pay $5,850 penalty for Risk Management Program violations

Clean Air Act requirements designed to prevent accidental releases of toxic chemicals

Contacts: David Cobb, 303-312-6592; Richard Mylott, 303-312-6654

(Denver, Colo. - Aug 6, 2012) Yuma Ethanol, LLC has agreed to pay a $5,850 civil penalty and correct violations relating to the storage and use of toxic and flammable substances at its ethanol plant in Yuma, Colorado. An EPA inspection of the plant in October 2011 found the company had violated Risk Management Program regulations under the Clean Air Act. By agreeing to the settlement announced today, the company has certified that the facility is now in compliance with these regulations.
"These requirements ensure that facilities have up-to-date procedures in place to prevent and respond to releases of toxic chemicals used on-site,” said Mike Gaydosh, EPA’s Enforcement Director in Denver. “Failure to comply with these requirements can leave the public and environment at risk from accidental releases."

Under the Clean Air Act, the Yuma Ethanol facility was required to maintain a risk management plan because it exceeded the 10,000-pound storage threshold for anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous chemical, and natural gasoline, a flammable substance used to denature ethanol. Yuma Ethanol was storing approximately 97,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the EPA inspection.

This enforcement action will benefit the community, which includes minority and low-income areas. Minority populations comprise nearly half of the residents within a five-mile radius of the facility and 45 percent are below poverty level. Approximately 35 percent of the area’s population is Hispanic.

EPA enforces the Risk Management Program regulations of the Clean Air Act with the goal of preventing accidental chemical releases and minimizing the impact of releases or other accidents that may occur. The establishment of effective risk management plans helps companies, industries and municipalities operate responsibly, assists emergency responders by providing vital information necessary to address accidents and other incidents, protects the environment by preventing and minimizing damage from accidental releases, and keeps communities safer.

For more information on the Clean Air Act and risk management requirements: http://www.epa.gov/oem/content/rmp/caa_faqs.htm

Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal

Jerome dairy processing facility failed to publicly disclose chemical use and disposal

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

Graham Kirn, EPA Toxics Release Inventory Program, 206-553-1603, kirn.graham@epa.gov

(Seattle—April 26, 2012) Idaho Milk Products, Inc., a dairy processing facility in Jerome, Idaho, failed to publicly report the use and disposal of several hundred thousand pounds of toxic chemicals in violation of community right-to-know laws, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The company has corrected the violations of the Toxics Release Inventory Program and will pay a fine.

“Communities have a right to know what chemicals companies are using and potentially releasing into the environment,” said Kelly Huynh, manager of the TRI program at EPA in Seattle. “Accurate and timely numbers from companies are the foundation of these rules so citizens have access to the most current information.”

Idaho Milk Products processes tens of millions of pounds of milk annually at its facility in Jerome.

The facility used several hundred thousand pounds of nitric acid as a cleaning agent in 2009. When treated, nitric acid produces nitrate compounds, which the company released to the local wastewater treatment plant. Idaho Milk Products is required under the Toxics Release Inventory to report toxic chemical releases. According to EPA, the company failed to report the treatment and disposal of nitric acid and nitrate compounds in 2009.

Nitric acid can harm the eyes, skin, respiratory system and teeth.

The company has submitted the required reports to EPA and the State of Idaho to resolve the violations and agreed to pay a penalty of $52,100.

Under the federal Toxics Release Inventory Program, companies that use certain toxic chemicals are required to report annually about releases, transfers and waste management activities involving toxic chemicals at their facilities. The Toxics Release Inventory Program falls under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, which aims to inform communities and citizens of chemical hazards in their neighborhoods.

EPA Awards Innovative Plating Company

News Release from EPA Region 9:

For Immediate Release: January 25, 2012

Media Contact:  Nahal Mogharabi, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov    

EPA Awards Innovative Plating Company in Clovis for Significant Reductions of Toxic Chemicals

Zero Discharge Facility Reduces 9,000 Pounds of Lead and Hex-chrome, Protects Workers, Public Health

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today recognized Valley Chrome Plating for its achievements in environmental and worker protection under the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP) program.  The plating company, located in Clovis, Calif., successfully substituted lead anodes and hexavalent chromium with less harmful alternatives. These advancements have resulted in the reduction of these harmful chemicals by 9,000 pounds—significantly protecting the environment and worker exposure.

“This is a great example of how a company can protect its employees and the environment while growing its business and providing important local jobs,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Removing thousands of pounds of lead and chromium-six from its products ensures a safer environment for Valley Chrome Plating’s workers and the community.”

In 2009, the company eliminated the use of hexavalent chromium and replaced it with the more environmentally friendly trivalent chromium. That same year, Valley Chrome also replaced its lead anodes with safer graphite anodes. The switch to graphite and trivalent chromium has eliminated 3,000 pounds of lead waste and 6,000 pounds of hexavalent chromium from its waste stream.

In addition to altering the materials used its truck bumpers and accessories; Valley Chrome discharges zero wastewater to the public sewers through recycling and the underground plumbing that captures roof run-off from the facility for re-use. This system collects up to 100,000 gallons of rain water that is then used by the facility as part of its cleaning and finishing processes. Valley Chrome also installed ion exchange waste reduction systems in its manufacturing and plating operations, further reducing pollution associated with trivalent chromium as well as nickel plating.

These innovations saved this family-owned company thousands of dollars in waste treatment costs, hauling fees and reduced energy consumption and still allowed the company to compete in the global market.

Hexavalent chromium is associated with irritation to the skin, nose, eyes and throat and more serious complications. Lead is a toxic metal used in plating tanks as anodes. Lead is tied to  a range of health effects, including behavioral problems, learning disabilities, seizures and death. Children six years old and under are at most risk.

NPEP was a voluntary program fostering partnerships between regulatory agencies and manufacturers, commercial companies, and other facilities to reduce the use and release of highly toxic chemicals. NPEP officially ended in 2011. The NPEP partnership encouraged innovative thinking about conservation of our natural resources and ways to substitute, reduce, reuse and recycle..

Today’s announcement was part of Regional Administrator Jared Blumenfeld’s two day “Whistle Stop Tour” of San Joaquin Valley. For more information on his overall visit, today’s event and photos, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/mediacenter/sjv-tour/

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