U.S. EPA settles with six companies over California trucking rules

EPA Press Release:

U.S. EPA settles with six companies over California trucking rules

SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced recent settlements with six companies totaling over $450,000 in penalties for violating the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Truck and Bus Regulation and Drayage Truck Regulation. The companies either failed to install particulate filters on their own heavy-duty diesel trucks, failed to verify that trucks they hired for use in California complied with the state rules, or failed to maintain required records. As part of one of the settlements, $90,000 will be spent on an air filtration system at one or more schools in the South Coast Air Basin.

“Heavy-duty trucks can emit drastically higher levels of pollution when not equipped with required emissions controls,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Transport companies must comply with California’s rule to improve air quality and protect adjacent communities from breathing these toxic pollutants.”

Diesel emissions from trucks are one of the state’s largest sources of fine particle pollution, or soot, which is linked to a variety of health issues, including asthma, impaired lung development in children, and cardiovascular effects in adults. About 625,000 trucks are registered outside of the state but operate in California and are subject to the rule. Many of these vehicles are older models and emit high amounts of particulate matter and nitrogen oxides.

Today’s announcement highlights separate administrative settlement agreements with the following companies:

The Coca-Cola Company failed to verify that 63 of the carriers it hired in California from 2015 to 2017 complied with the Truck and Bus rule. In addition, the company dispatched drayage trucks that did not meet emission standards and failed to verify that their contracted truck owners were registered with the CARB’s Drayage Truck Registry. The company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, agreed to pay a $145,000 penalty.

Mercer Transportation Company Inc. failed to verify that their contracted truck owners were registered with the CARB’s Drayage Truck Registry and failed to maintain records. The company, headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, failed to comply with CARB’s regulation governing drayage moves destined to or from California ports from 2015 to 2017. Mercer Transportation Company agreed to pay a $46,787 civil penalty.

Liquid Transport LLC and Liquid Transport Corp. operated heavy-duty diesel trucks in California from 2014 to 2017 without the required diesel particulate filters. The companies also failed to verify that 122 of the carriers it hired to transport goods in California complied with the Truck and Bus rule. In addition, the firms owned and dispatched 22 drayage trucks that did not meet emission standards and were not registered with CARB’s Drayage Truck Registry. The companies, headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana, agreed to pay a $150,000 penalty.

Dean Foods Company operated 14 heavy-duty diesel trucks from 2014 to 2017 without the required diesel particulate filters and failed to maintain records for 40 vehicles. The company, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, agreed to pay a $30,000 civil penalty and will spend $90,000 on a supplemental environmental project to install an air filtration system to reduce harmful air pollutants in classrooms in one or more schools in the South Coast Air Basin, which includes Orange County and parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

D&E Transport LLC operated 26 heavy-duty diesel trucks in California from 2014 to 2017 without the required diesel particulate filters. The company also failed to verify that 104 of the carriers it hired to transport goods in California complied with the Truck and Bus rule. The company, headquartered in Clearwater, Minnesota, agreed to pay a $55,000 civil penalty.

Flat Creek Transportation LLC operated 24 heavy-duty diesel trucks in California from 2014 to 2018 without the required diesel particulate filters and failed to maintain records for 63 vehicles. The company, headquartered in Kinston, Alabama, agreed to pay a $71,250 penalty.

The California Truck and Bus Regulation has been an essential part of the state’s federally enforceable plan to attain cleaner air since 2012. The rule requires trucking companies to upgrade vehicles they own to meet specific NOx and particulate matter performance standards and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. Heavy-duty diesel trucks in California must meet 2010 engine emissions standards or use diesel particulate filters that can reduce the emissions of diesel particulates into the atmosphere by 85% or more.

The California Drayage Truck Regulation was also adopted into federal Clean Air Act plan requirements in 2012 and applies to owners and operators of drayage trucks operating in California, motor carriers that dispatch such vehicles, marine or port terminals, and intermodal rail yards. In particular, the Drayage Truck Regulation requires owners and operators of drayage trucks operating in California to meet specific emissions standards and register such trucks with the Drayage Truck Registry administered by the California Air Resources Board.

For more information on California’s Truck and Bus rule, please visit: ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/truck-and-bus-regulation.

For more information California’s Drayage Truck Rule, please visit: ww2.arb.ca.gov/our-work/programs/drayage-trucks-seaports-railyards.

For more information on the Clean Air Act, please visit: www.epa.gov/clean-air-act-overview.  

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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EPA Launches Agriculture Smart Sectors Program to Achieve Better Environmental Outcomes

EPA Press Release:

For Immediate Release: October 2, 2019

EPA Launches Agriculture Smart Sectors Program in Pacific Southwest to Achieve Better Environmental Outcomes

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 9 office is announcing the launch of an agriculture focus in its Smart Sectors Pacific Southwest program, a partnership initiative between the agency and regulated business sectors that is aimed at achieving better environmental outcomes. Based on the national Smart Sectors program, this approach provides a significant opportunity for EPA to consider more forward-thinking ways to protect the environment through collaboration and dialogue with key sectors of the economy in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Pacific Islands, as well as with 148 tribes in the region.

EPA Regional Administrator Mike Stoker was joined Tuesday by farmers, association members, and EPA and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) senior management at a roundtable discussion at the USDA office in Davis, Calif.

“We are very pleased to work with farmers, ranchers and others who are naturally stewards of our air, land, and water,” said Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “Through our Smart Sectors dialogue, we can better understand the issues and challenges faced by farmers and ranchers and work together for the benefit of all.”

“Today’s launch builds on the success of our national Smart Sectors program,” said EPA Associate Administrator for Policy Brittany Bolen. “We’re excited to expand the program in Region 9, marking the fourth regional program to focus on the agriculture community, while EPA continues to improve regulatory certainty for this and other sectors.”

“I appreciate the time EPA is taking to bring people together to think about common-sense approaches to environmental regulation,” said Paul Wenger of Wenger Ranch.

“This kind of dialogue is something that is long overdue between working groups and EPA,” said Paco Ollerton of Tierra Verde Farms.

“We appreciate being included an any discussion with EPA. As fourth and fifth generation farmers we can’t do it alone, and we can’t be overregulated,” said Dierdre Lefty of Auburn Ravine Ranch.

In the Pacific Southwest, EPA initially began with a focus on the oil and gas sector in April of this year and plans to expand to other sectors in addition to agriculture in coming months. Nationally, Smart Sectors engages with 13 sectors of the economy. EPA focuses on best practices, convening workshops to facilitate communication, raising public awareness and information sharing, and enhancing knowledge of federal environmental programs.

Background

A sector-based approach can provide benefits such as increased long-term certainty and predictability, creative solutions based on sound data, and more sensible policies to improve environmental protection. Staff conduct educational site visits, host roundtables with EPA leadership, analyze data and advise about options for environmental improvement, and maintain open dialogue with business partners and their environmental committees.

Announced nationally in October 2017 and since launched in four regions of the country – EPA Regions 1: New England; 2: New York, New Jersey, and the Caribbean; 8: Mountains and Plains; and 9: Pacific Southwest – the Smart Sectors program provides a platform to collaborate with regulated sectors and develop sensible approaches that better protect the environment and public health.

Additionally, the program is releasing a series of interactive sector snapshots that provide historical environmental and economic data for industries participating in the program. Each snapshot is designed to help the general public, EPA, and sector partners gain a common understanding of sector performance to inform environmental improvement strategies going forward.

More information about EPA’s Smart Sectors program: https://www.epa.gov/smartsectors

More information about the sector snapshots: https://www.epa.gov/smartsectors/sector-snapshots 

U.S. EPA settles with Growers Ice Company to improve chemical safety at Salinas facility

EPA Press Release:

For Immediate Release: October 1, 2019

Media Contact: Denise Adamic, adamic.denise@epa.gov, 415-972-3061

U.S. EPA settles with Growers Ice Company to improve chemical safety at Salinas, California, facility

SALINAS, Calif. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with Growers Ice Company for violations of federal chemical release prevention and reporting requirements at its fresh produce storage and distribution facility located in Salinas. The company will pay a $30,000 civil penalty and spend approximately $105,000 to further reduce the risk of chemical accidents and provide environmental benefits at its facility.

In 2017, EPA inspectors found violations of the Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Plan regulations at the Salinas facility. The violations included deficiencies in the plant’s process safety requirements, pipe labeling, operating procedures, mechanical integrity program, documentation of personnel training, and follow-up on compliance audit findings.

“Companies using large quantities of chemicals must take steps to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Mike Stoker. “We are pleased that the company will upgrade equipment and controls, beyond what is required by law, to protect the health and safety of plant workers and the community.”

Thousands of facilities nationwide, many of which are in disproportionately affected communities, make, use and store extremely hazardous substances. Catastrophic accidents at these facilities—historically about 150 each year—result in fatalities and serious injuries, evacuations, and other harm to human health and the environment. This case is part of EPA’s National Compliance Initiative to reduce risks of accidental releases at anhydrous ammonia refrigeration facilities. Growers Ice Company’s industrial refrigeration system uses large quantities of anhydrous ammonia, a toxic chemical highly corrosive to skin, eyes and lungs.

Growers Ice Company has addressed the identified violations. As part of the settlement, the company agreed to complete a supplemental environmental project valued at $105,000 to enhance safety equipment and procedures at the Salinas facility. The project includes installing new pumps and a new control system, which would allow an operator or emergency responder to remotely shut down the ammonia refrigeration systems, including in an emergency situation.

The Clean Air Act’s Risk Management Program requires facilities with regulated hazardous substances to document hazard assessments detailing the potential effects of an accidental release and a prevention program that includes safety precautions and maintenance, monitoring, and employee training measures. When properly implemented, risk management plans help prevent chemical accidents and minimize their impact should they occur.

For more information on the Risk Management Plan requirements under the Clean Air Act, visit:  https://www.epa.gov/rmp

For more information on EPA’s National Compliance Initiative related to reducing risks of accidental releases at ammonia refrigeration facilities, visit: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/national-compliance-initiative-reducing-accidental-releases-industrial-and-chemical

Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on Twitter.

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EPA awards Railroad Commission of Texas over $527,000 to protect groundwater

EPA Press Release:

EPA awards Railroad Commission of Texas over 

$527,000 to protect groundwater

Contact: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

DALLAS – (Sept. 30, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently awarded $527, 688 to the Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) to protect groundwater from underground injection or disposal wells. The funding will ensure the continued protection of groundwater in Texas.

“This funding will support Texas’ ongoing work in protecting its groundwater,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen.  “Helping our state partners achieve their environmental goals and protecting drinking water sources is one of EPA’s most important missions.”

EPA regularly provides financial assistance to support activities for granting permits, monitoring construction and operation and enforcement of injection or disposal wells. The funds will also be used to inventory injection wells, perform technical reviews of permit applications, perform on-site field investigations and conduct interviews and visual observations for compliance assurance.

EPA previously awarded $104,032 to the fiscal year 2019, RRC underground injection control program. The total federal amount equates to $631,720.

The mission of the EPA is to protect public health. This grant helps ensure American citizens have safe sources of drinking water through a cooperative effort between EPA, state and tribal governments. The UIC program works toward protecting underground sources of drinking water from contamination by regulating the construction and operation of injection wells. 

For more about EPA grants: https://www.epa.gov/grants.

For more about underground injection control: https://www.epa.gov/uic.

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

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EPA Awards Louisiana Dept. of Health Over $1 Million for Safe Drinking Water Programs

EPA Press Release:

EPA Awards Louisiana Dept. of Health Over $1 Million for
Safe Drinking Water Programs

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (Sept. 26, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced a grant to the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) for $1,042,627 for safe drinking water programs. These programs ensure compliance with the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Making sure that the water we drink is safe is at the heart of EPA’s mission,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen. “The Louisiana Department of Health and the many drinking water systems in the state continue to be effective partners in bringing safe drinking water to communities throughout Louisiana.”

The funding will support a variety of activities in LDH’s public water system supervision program, including developing drinking water regulations, maintaining an inventory of drinking water systems, and managing information on public water systems. The grant will also provide technical assistance to public water systems and assistance in enforcing drinking water regulations. EPA previously awarded LDH $242,373 for drinking water programs, bringing the total to $1,285,000 for this fiscal year.

Background:

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the federal law that protects public drinking water supplies throughout the nation. Under the SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and with its partners implements various technical and financial programs to ensure drinking water safety. In Louisiana, EPA has delegated the authority for SDWA programs to the Louisiana Department of Health.

For more about the Safe Drinking Water Act: https://www.epa.gov/sdwa

For more about EPA’s work in Louisiana: https://www.epa.gov/la

Connect with EPA Region 6:

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eparegion6 

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central  

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EPA awards grants to support pollutant reduction plan tied to Conowingo reservoir infill

EPA Press Release:

EPA awards grants to support pollutant reduction plan tied to Conowingo reservoir infill                              

PHILADELPHIA – (September 26, 2019) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced awards totaling nearly $600,000 for three projects to further a joint Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) to compensate for the loss of pollutant trapping capacity in the Conowingo Dam reservoir.

The reservoir has become filled with sediment and is almost at capacity. During large storms and severe floods, the fast-moving flows of the Susquehanna River move sediment and attached nutrients over the dam and downstream into the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Program’s six watershed states (Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia), the District of Columbia and the Chesapeake Bay Commission agreed to develop a collaborative WIP that will include actions and commitments jurisdictions will take to best account for the additional pollutant loads.

EPA is funding three activities to fulfill the Chesapeake Bay Program’s commitment to address the Conowingo Dam infill:

• An award to the Center for Watershed Protection to facilitate development and implementation of the Conowingo WIP and associated two-year milestones of progress.

• An award to the Chesapeake Bay Trust to develop a comprehensive that will involve public, nonprofit and private funds to achieve the greatest level of pollutant reduction per dollar while maximizing economic development.

• An award to the Chesapeake Conservancy to track, verify and report implementation of the Conowingo WIP and two-year milestones.

“These awards are part of EPA’s continuing financial and technical assistance to the states and the District of Columbia to help restore and protect the health of the Chesapeake Bay and local waters,” said EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler. “The award recipients have the background and experience to help us meet the challenge posed by the additional pollutant loads stemming from the Conowingo Dam infill.”

“We appreciate EPA’s support of multi-state progress on the Conowingo watershed plan and congratulate the impressive awardees and their partners,” said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. “We all benefit from innovative partnerships to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay.”

EPA Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio said the financing strategy is expected to identify a variety of funding sources, which will help farmers and local governments in Pennsylvania and across the watershed implement clean water practices.

The watershed states and the District of Columbia each have developed their own WIPs to meet the pollutant reduction goals of the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (Bay TMDL).  The final Phase III WIPs were submitted to EPA on August 23 and are currently under review.

The Conowingo WIP is independent of these plans and is focused specifically on offsetting the additional load due to the Conowingo reservoir infill.  A Chesapeake Bay Program steering committee was formed to oversee development and implementation of the Conowingo WIP along with EPA.  A total of $200,000 of the awards funding comes from EPA’s Chesapeake Bay grants to the watershed states and the District.

The Chesapeake Bay Program estimates that an additional reduction of 6 million pounds of nitrogen and 0.26 million pounds of phosphorus is needed to mitigate the infill-related water quality impacts.

Quotes from the Grantees:

Center for Watershed Protection, Bryan Seipp, Project Manager:
“Addressing the increasing nutrient and sediment loads to the Chesapeake Bay as a result of Conowingo Dam reaching dynamic equilibrium is a complex and challenging task.  Like all watershed planning efforts success in reducing pollutant loading to streams, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay will require innovative solutions, dedicated stakeholders, and consistent, open communication.”

Chesapeake Bay Trust, Jana Davis, Executive Director:
“The Chesapeake Bay Trust is excited to work with the University of Maryland and a large number of other partners on the incredibly challenging but rewarding financing component of this project.  We hope the ideas and financing mechanisms developed here will have wide application across the watershed."

Chesapeake Conservancy, Jeffrey Allenby, Director of Conservation Technology:
"We are excited to partner with some of the leading organizations in the watershed. We have a large challenge ahead, but more importantly a large opportunity to usher in the future of data driven restoration."

EPA announces The Oyster Bed of Hammond, La., as 2nd Place 2019 Gulf Guardian Winner

EPA Press Release:

EPA announces The Oyster Bed of Hammond, La., as 2nd Place 2019 Gulf Guardian Winner

Media contacts: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (Sept. 26, 2019) Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Gulf of Mexico Division announced The Oyster Bed LLC as a 2nd Place Gulf Guardian winner for its work to promote stewardship of gulf resources and oyster shell recycling through community outreach and education.

“These winners are true guardians, demonstrating a remarkable commitment to protecting a unique part of our nation that so many communities rely upon,” said Regional Administrator Ken McQueen, “They show the innovation and teamwork it takes to safeguard the Gulf of Mexico as a vital ecological, recreational, and economic hub.”

“Plentiful marine resources, pristine beaches and economic vitality make the Gulf of Mexico a national treasure worthy of protection and preservation,” said Acting Gulf of Mexico Division Director, Lakeshia Robertson. “The Gulf Guardian winners embody environmental stewardship; their efforts are creating a healthy and resilient Gulf for residents and tourists alike.”

"We are so grateful for the seafood that comes from our coastal estuaries that it's an easy decision to support conservation efforts that protect them," said Oyster Bed co-owner and U.S. Marine veteran Tommy Waller.

Through its business selling oyster and seafood cookware, the Oyster Bed works with restaurants and community groups to promote the importance of oyster reefs and oyster shell recycling. The company’s cookware allows restaurants and home cooks to use oysters that have been pre-shucked at warehouse facilities, where the shells are routinely recycled and used to build new oyster reefs in the Gulf. They also partner with and donate to conservation groups to help raise awareness about how healthy oyster populations benefit the Gulf ecosystem as a whole.

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. First, second and third place awards are given in seven categories: individual, business/industry, youth environmental education, civic/nonprofit organizations, cultural diversity/environmental justice, partnership and bi-national efforts.

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States. The Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in concert with economic development.

For more information about the U.S. EPA Gulf of Mexico Division go to: https://www.epa.gov/gulfofmexico.

Connect with EPA Region 6:

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On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6

About EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central