The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a settlement with Giant Resource Recovery – Attalla, Inc. (GRR) regarding alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at its facility in Attalla, Alabama.
The EPA's compliance evaluation inspection in August 2020 revealed potential violations of state and federal organic air emission requirements for hazardous waste tanks at the facility. The inspection was conducted under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Alabama Hazardous Wastes Management and Minimization Act.
Keriema Newman, Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division of the EPA’s Southeast Region, emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance: “It's important that companies treating and storing hazardous wastes follow applicable federal and state regulations in order to protect human health and the environment. Companies are responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable environmental law.”
As part of the settlement, GRR will pay a civil penalty of $235,782. Additionally, GRR has agreed to undertake a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) aimed at reducing organic air emissions from its hazardous waste tank system. SEPs are voluntary projects that provide environmental benefits beyond what is legally required. GRR will invest at least $641,831 in this project, which includes modifications and replacements of some organic air emission controls on its hazardous waste tank system.
The Consent Agreement and Final Order detailing the settlement can be accessed online.
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