EPA Fines Lawrence, Kansas, Landfill for Alleged Clean Air Act Violations
LENEXA, KAN. (DEC. 12, 2023) – Hamm Inc., owner/operator of a municipal sanitary landfill in Lawrence, Kansas, will pay a $4,206 civil penalty and spend approximately $30,000 to monitor air pollution emissions to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act.
“Two of EPA’s top priorities are mitigating climate change through its regulatory authorities and reducing methane emissions from landfills,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “The Agency is encouraged by Hamm’s commitment to reduce emissions through its enhanced landfill cover integrity practices as a term of this settlement.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company exceeded the regulatory standard for methane emissions and failed to take required corrective actions at the company’s landfill.
EPA discovered the alleged violations during a March 2022 inspection of the Hamm Inc. facility. In response to EPA’s findings and as part of the settlement, Hamm took steps to correct the violation and agreed to pay for drone technology to monitor methane emissions and employ Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to assess the landfill’s cover integrity to prevent potential future releases of landfill gases.
EPA says that that landfill gas emissions from municipal solid waste landfills cause significant air pollution that can endanger public health and the environment. Further, methane, which makes up approximately 50% of landfill gas pollutants, is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere and is therefore a significant contributor to climate change.
EPA has identified climate change mitigation as a top enforcement priority for the Agency. Learn more about EPA’s compliance initiatives.
# # #
Learn more about EPA’s air enforcement programs
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
“Two of EPA’s top priorities are mitigating climate change through its regulatory authorities and reducing methane emissions from landfills,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “The Agency is encouraged by Hamm’s commitment to reduce emissions through its enhanced landfill cover integrity practices as a term of this settlement.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the company exceeded the regulatory standard for methane emissions and failed to take required corrective actions at the company’s landfill.
EPA discovered the alleged violations during a March 2022 inspection of the Hamm Inc. facility. In response to EPA’s findings and as part of the settlement, Hamm took steps to correct the violation and agreed to pay for drone technology to monitor methane emissions and employ Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to assess the landfill’s cover integrity to prevent potential future releases of landfill gases.
EPA says that that landfill gas emissions from municipal solid waste landfills cause significant air pollution that can endanger public health and the environment. Further, methane, which makes up approximately 50% of landfill gas pollutants, is more than 28 times as potent as carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere and is therefore a significant contributor to climate change.
EPA has identified climate change mitigation as a top enforcement priority for the Agency. Learn more about EPA’s compliance initiatives.
# # #
Learn more about EPA’s air enforcement programs
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
EPA awards nearly $3M in grants to address environmental concerns in Yakima Valley
Yesterday, EPA announced two new grant awards to address health disparities in the Yakima Valley.
During a press conference in Granger, Washington, EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller announced a $1 million dollar grant to the Washington State Department of Health. Beginning next month, the three-year project will work to increase education and outreach around groundwater and air quality in the Yakima Valley by connecting community members to resources, information and tools.
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller (speaking) hosted a community open house at the Yakima Valley Museum to highlight funding opportunities available through state and federal programs.
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller (far right) speaks with Washington Department of Ecology Acting Regional Director Tom Tebb (far left) and Washington Department of Health Assistant Secretary of Environmental Public Health Lauren Jenks (middle) during the community open house at the Yakima Valley Museum.
Additionally, EPA announced a grant for $1,896,439 to the University of Washington to create a research center which aims to identify communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.
“Residents of the Lower Yakima Valley, especially lower-income residents and communities of color, are bearing the burdens of pollutants,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We’re focused on addressing environmental justice concerns in Yakima Valley, which has helped guide our approach to sustained actions over time to improve health outcomes in this community.”
EPA also hosted a grant funding workshop for potential applicants in the region, providing the latest information on grant and technical assistance available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, state and other federal agencies were present to discuss their available funding and assistance.
“For too long Washington’s low-income communities and communities of color including in the Yakima valley have borne the disproportionate cost of pollution in the climate crisis. The problem compounds when these communities can't access state and federal programs in place to address the issue,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee in a pre-recorded video message to event attendees. “That's what today is about, connecting communities to resources so that we can build a clean energy future together.
EPA’s mobile air quality laboratory was at the open house and available for touring. It will be used later this winter to evaluate local air quality in Yakima Valley.
Learn more about the Environmental Justice Showcase Community in Yakima Valley.
EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on X and Facebook, and subscribe to our RSS feed.
During a press conference in Granger, Washington, EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller announced a $1 million dollar grant to the Washington State Department of Health. Beginning next month, the three-year project will work to increase education and outreach around groundwater and air quality in the Yakima Valley by connecting community members to resources, information and tools.
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller (speaking) hosted a community open house at the Yakima Valley Museum to highlight funding opportunities available through state and federal programs.
EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller (far right) speaks with Washington Department of Ecology Acting Regional Director Tom Tebb (far left) and Washington Department of Health Assistant Secretary of Environmental Public Health Lauren Jenks (middle) during the community open house at the Yakima Valley Museum.
Additionally, EPA announced a grant for $1,896,439 to the University of Washington to create a research center which aims to identify communities that are disproportionately affected by environmental hazards.
“Residents of the Lower Yakima Valley, especially lower-income residents and communities of color, are bearing the burdens of pollutants,” said EPA Region 10 Administrator Casey Sixkiller. “We’re focused on addressing environmental justice concerns in Yakima Valley, which has helped guide our approach to sustained actions over time to improve health outcomes in this community.”
EPA also hosted a grant funding workshop for potential applicants in the region, providing the latest information on grant and technical assistance available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. Additionally, state and other federal agencies were present to discuss their available funding and assistance.
“For too long Washington’s low-income communities and communities of color including in the Yakima valley have borne the disproportionate cost of pollution in the climate crisis. The problem compounds when these communities can't access state and federal programs in place to address the issue,” said Washington Governor Jay Inslee in a pre-recorded video message to event attendees. “That's what today is about, connecting communities to resources so that we can build a clean energy future together.
EPA’s mobile air quality laboratory was at the open house and available for touring. It will be used later this winter to evaluate local air quality in Yakima Valley.
Learn more about the Environmental Justice Showcase Community in Yakima Valley.
EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest) - Serving Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington and 271 Tribal Nations. Visit us online, follow us on X and Facebook, and subscribe to our RSS feed.
EPA requires Calumet Montana Refining to correct chemical risk management violations at Great Falls facility
Great Falls, Mont. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced a Clean Air Act settlement in which Calumet Montana Refining, LLC, has agreed to pay a $385,000 penalty and address violations of Risk Management Program (RMP) requirements at its petroleum refining facility in Great Falls, Montana.
The settlement, filed as a Consent Agreement on December 12, 2023, resulted from a 2019 EPA inspection at the Calumet facility that revealed several violations related to the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid. Deficiencies were associated with process safety information, hazard analysis, mechanical integrity and operating procedures. The company has been cooperative in correcting all identified deficiencies to reduce the possibility of an accidental release.
"Facilities must properly handle hazardous substances to prevent dangerous chemical accidents and follow reporting requirements when releases occur,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “If they don’t, EPA will hold them accountable. We are pleased that Calumet Montana Refining is implementing critical safety measures to protect workers and the community."
The case is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to reduce risks from chemical accidents. It addresses compliance within the petroleum refining industry sector, which can pose serious risks from such accidents. Following recommendations made by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in April 2019, EPA is focused on ensuring compliance with the RMP at petroleum refining facilities that store and process hydrofluoric acid.
The Calumet facility is subject to Clean Air Act RMP regulations because it stores and processes large quantities of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid, a highly toxic substance that may cause severe injury, burns or death when released into air. The RMP rule requires facilities holding more than 10,000 pounds of flammable mixture or 1,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to develop a RMP and submit that plan to EPA.
RMPs address the proper design and maintenance of equipment such as pipes and vessels, emergency preparedness and the ability to minimize releases that may occur. They provide valuable information to local fire, police and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. Making these plans available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level.
For more information on the Clean Air Act and RMP rule requirements, please visit the EPA RMP rule webpage. The Consent Agreement and Final Order are available online.
The settlement, filed as a Consent Agreement on December 12, 2023, resulted from a 2019 EPA inspection at the Calumet facility that revealed several violations related to the management of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid. Deficiencies were associated with process safety information, hazard analysis, mechanical integrity and operating procedures. The company has been cooperative in correcting all identified deficiencies to reduce the possibility of an accidental release.
"Facilities must properly handle hazardous substances to prevent dangerous chemical accidents and follow reporting requirements when releases occur,” said Suzanne Bohan, director of EPA Region 8’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “If they don’t, EPA will hold them accountable. We are pleased that Calumet Montana Refining is implementing critical safety measures to protect workers and the community."
The case is part of EPA’s National Enforcement and Compliance Initiative to reduce risks from chemical accidents. It addresses compliance within the petroleum refining industry sector, which can pose serious risks from such accidents. Following recommendations made by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board in April 2019, EPA is focused on ensuring compliance with the RMP at petroleum refining facilities that store and process hydrofluoric acid.
The Calumet facility is subject to Clean Air Act RMP regulations because it stores and processes large quantities of flammable mixtures and hydrofluoric acid, a highly toxic substance that may cause severe injury, burns or death when released into air. The RMP rule requires facilities holding more than 10,000 pounds of flammable mixture or 1,000 pounds of hydrofluoric acid to develop a RMP and submit that plan to EPA.
RMPs address the proper design and maintenance of equipment such as pipes and vessels, emergency preparedness and the ability to minimize releases that may occur. They provide valuable information to local fire, police and emergency response personnel to prepare for and respond to chemical emergencies. Making these plans available to the public also fosters communication and awareness to improve accident prevention and emergency response practices at the local level.
For more information on the Clean Air Act and RMP rule requirements, please visit the EPA RMP rule webpage. The Consent Agreement and Final Order are available online.
EPA Oversees Last Phase of Soil Cleanup in the Residential Area of the USS Lead Superfund Site in East Chicago, Indiana
CHICAGO (December 11, 2023) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the Agency has begun oversight of the last phase of soil cleanup in the residential area, or operable unit 1, of the USS Lead Superfund site in East Chicago, Indiana. EPA will oversee cleanup activities conducted by Industrial Development Advantage, or IDA, of East Chicago. EPA anticipates soil cleanup will be complete by summer 2024 at the former West Calumet Housing Complex in Zone 1.
Residents can expect to see increased truck traffic as IDA transports contaminated soil off-site for disposal. Trucks will enter and leave the site at 151st Street. EPA requires IDA to take measures to minimize dust and to perform 24-hour air monitoring for particulates, lead, and arsenic until the remediation work is completed. Health-based action levels have been established for both the neighboring community and onsite workers. If one of the air monitors detects an exceedance of the action levels, IDA will implement additional protective measures to reduce airborne dust.
This is the last soil cleanup planned for the three zones that make up operable unit 1 at the site. Groundwater investigation and monitoring are ongoing. IDA has informed the EPA that it intends to redevelop Zone 1 property into a warehouse and logistics center.
To learn more about cleanup status updates, visit the USS Lead website.
###
Residents can expect to see increased truck traffic as IDA transports contaminated soil off-site for disposal. Trucks will enter and leave the site at 151st Street. EPA requires IDA to take measures to minimize dust and to perform 24-hour air monitoring for particulates, lead, and arsenic until the remediation work is completed. Health-based action levels have been established for both the neighboring community and onsite workers. If one of the air monitors detects an exceedance of the action levels, IDA will implement additional protective measures to reduce airborne dust.
This is the last soil cleanup planned for the three zones that make up operable unit 1 at the site. Groundwater investigation and monitoring are ongoing. IDA has informed the EPA that it intends to redevelop Zone 1 property into a warehouse and logistics center.
To learn more about cleanup status updates, visit the USS Lead website.
###
EPA Settles with Trucking Companies Over Claims of Violation of California Truck and Bus Pollution Rule
SAN FRANCISCO – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced settlements with two interstate trucking companies over claims of violating the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Truck and Bus Regulation. The companies, Capurro Trucking and Republic Services, operate diesel-fueled heavy-duty trucks in California, among other states, and failed to install controls to reduce pollution, upgrade model year engines, or verify that the trucks complied with state rules. The EPA brought these enforcement actions under the Clean Air Act. Capurro Trucking paid a civil penalty of $119,162, and Republic Services, comprised of 30 entities, paid a civil penalty of $100,000, to resolve EPA’s respective violation claims against the companies.
“National truck fleets operating within California need to comply with our state’s truck and bus rule that regulates dangerous air pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator Martha Guzman. “Holding companies accountable protects the environment and public health, particularly among overburdened California communities that are bearing the brunt of pollution from diesel-fueled, heavy-duty trucks.”
Diesel emissions from trucks are one of California’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, a precursor to ozone, which is another air pollutant that is responsible for poor air quality in California.
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 performance standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. Since January 1, 2023, all vehicles subject to the rule that travel in California have been required to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent emissions.
In April 2023, the California Air Resources Board approved a rule that requires a phased-in transition toward the use of zero-emission medium-and-heavy duty vehicles. Known as Advanced Clean Fleets, the new rule helps put California on a path towards fully transitioning the trucks that travel across the state to zero-emissions technology by 2045. The rule is expected to generate $26.5 billion in health savings from reduced asthma attacks, emergency room visits and respiratory illnesses. In addition, CARB believes that fleet owners will save an estimated $48 billion in their total operating costs from the transition through 2050.
In July 2023, CARB and truck and engine manufacturers announced an unprecedented partnership to meet clean air goals. The new Clean Truck Partnership agreement offers flexibility to address public health of Californians and the needs of truck and engine manufacturers that build the technology required for the transition to zero-emissions.
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
For more information on California’s Truck and Bus rule, visit CARB Truck and Bus Regulation.
Learn more about the Clean Air Act.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.
“National truck fleets operating within California need to comply with our state’s truck and bus rule that regulates dangerous air pollution,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Administrator Martha Guzman. “Holding companies accountable protects the environment and public health, particularly among overburdened California communities that are bearing the brunt of pollution from diesel-fueled, heavy-duty trucks.”
Diesel emissions from trucks are one of California’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, a precursor to ozone, which is another air pollutant that is responsible for poor air quality in California.
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 performance standards for emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter and to verify compliance of vehicles they hire or dispatch. Since January 1, 2023, all vehicles subject to the rule that travel in California have been required to have 2010 model year engines or equivalent emissions.
In April 2023, the California Air Resources Board approved a rule that requires a phased-in transition toward the use of zero-emission medium-and-heavy duty vehicles. Known as Advanced Clean Fleets, the new rule helps put California on a path towards fully transitioning the trucks that travel across the state to zero-emissions technology by 2045. The rule is expected to generate $26.5 billion in health savings from reduced asthma attacks, emergency room visits and respiratory illnesses. In addition, CARB believes that fleet owners will save an estimated $48 billion in their total operating costs from the transition through 2050.
In July 2023, CARB and truck and engine manufacturers announced an unprecedented partnership to meet clean air goals. The new Clean Truck Partnership agreement offers flexibility to address public health of Californians and the needs of truck and engine manufacturers that build the technology required for the transition to zero-emissions.
For more information on reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA’s enforcement reporting website.
For more information on California’s Truck and Bus rule, visit CARB Truck and Bus Regulation.
Learn more about the Clean Air Act.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.
QB 24-208 2024 Cheddar Cheese 04 AUSN 18
Commodity
Cheddar cheese and cheese substitutes as provided for in Chapter 4, additional U.S. Note 18.
Quota Period
January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Opening Day
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Restraint Level
Country
Quantity…
Cheddar cheese and cheese substitutes as provided for in Chapter 4, additional U.S. Note 18.
Quota Period
January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Opening Day
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Restraint Level
Country
Quantity…
QB 24-503 Other Brooms
Commodity:
Other Brooms, wholly or in part of broom corn.
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
Opening Date:
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Restraint Level:
121,478 dozen.
Since the reporting unit for brooms is numbers,…
Other Brooms, wholly or in part of broom corn.
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
Opening Date:
Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Restraint Level:
121,478 dozen.
Since the reporting unit for brooms is numbers,…
QB 24-504 2024 Whiskbrooms
Commodity:
Whiskbrooms, wholly or in part of broom corn
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
Opening Date:
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Restraint Level:
61,655 dozen
Since the reporting unit for brooms is numbers, the…
Whiskbrooms, wholly or in part of broom corn
Quota Period:
January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024
Opening Date:
Tuesday January 2, 2024
Restraint Level:
61,655 dozen
Since the reporting unit for brooms is numbers, the…