U.S. EPA Announces Settlement of Two Enforcement Actions

Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 announced the settlement of two enforcement actions.  Region 5 includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

First, EPA reached an agreement with an Elk Grove testing and metal coating business for alleged violations of federal hazardous waste rules.  The company will pay a $62,031 penalty.  EPA alleged that the company failed to label a tank and container, keep a container closed, train personnel and keep records, document daily tank inspections, install a leak detection system for its storage tank, have its storage tank assessed for structure integrity and maintain an adequate contingency plan.  Please click here for the news release of the settlement.

Second, EPA reached an agreement with a Zion scrap metal recycling company for alleged violations of federal clean air rules governing safe disposal of chloroflurocarbons ("CFCs") and hydrochloroflurocarbons ("HCFCs") from small applicances.  EPA alleged that the company accepted small appliances without recovering refrigerants and did not obtain proper verification statements showing that refrigerant was properly recovered.  Instead of paying a penalty, the company agreed to participate in a compliance program, including providing notice to customers that the company will not accept small appliances unless the suppliers can certify that the refrigerants were properly removed.  Please click here for the news release of the settlement, and click here for the Administrative Consent Order.

Stay tuned to the Illinois Environmental Law Blog for more news and developments.