The Bullet:
A chemical distribution facility in Roanoke, Va was ordered by an administrative law judge to pay a $612,339 penalty for multiple violations of federal and state hazardous waste storage regulations.
Who:
United States Environmental Agency (USEPA) issued the violations.
Chem-Solv, Inc. is the operator of the facility.
Austin Holdings-VA, L.L.C. is the facility owner.
What:
Alleged violations include:
- Storing hazardous waste in an open tank that did not have an engineering assessment or air emission controls.
- Storing hazardous waste for greater than 90 days without a permit.
- Failure to perform daily inspections of hazardous waste tanks.
- Failure to perform hazardous waste determinations on the wastes in the open tank, aerosol waste, and other wastes generated at the facility.
- Open hazardous waste tank had been improperly removed, without compliance with a RCRA closure plan.
The companies have a right to appeal the decision to EPA’s Environmental Appeals Board.
Where:
Chem-Solv, Inc. is located in Roanoke, VA
Austin Holdings-VA, L.L.C. is the facility owner.
When:
Judge’s opinion issued June 5, 2014
News release dated June 24, 2014
Why:
Violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), such as these are alleged, can threaten public health and the environment and require costly cleanups through improper storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The enforcement of RCRA regulations by the USEPA can eliminate these threats.
How:
Despite the fact that Virginia has an authorized hazardous waste program (I find it interesting that there is no mention of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality in this release) and that the alleged violations include violations of State regulations, the USEPA is the primary investigation and enforcement agency for this case.
Conclusion:
Though not mentioned as an alleged violation, I would not be surprised to find that this facility has not completed the required training for Hazardous Waste Personnel. High-quality Hazardous Waste Personnel training such as mine would have provided the information necessary to prevent the alleged violations. Contact me to provide this training or to answer any questions you may have about the RCRA regulations of the USEPA or your State.
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Daniels Training Services 815.821.1550 |
View the press release: Virginia Chemical Distributor to Pay $612,339 for Violations of Hazardous Waste Storage Regulations
Contact Information: Donna Heron 215-814-5113 / heron.donna@epa.gov
The Judge’s decision is available at: http://www.epa.gov/aljhomep/orders/2014/RCRA-03-2011-0068_Chemsolv_14-06-05_ID_Biro.pdf