Region 10 News Release: Alaska placer miner settles EPA Clean Water Act discharge violations

Alaska placer miner settles EPA Clean Water Act discharge violations

Contact Info: Mark MacIntyre/EPA/Public Affairs/ 206-553-7302/ macintyre.mark@epa.gov
Eva DeMaria/EPA/NPDES-Compliance Officer/ 206-553-1970/ demaria.eva@epa.gov

(Seattle, Washington – February 28, 2011) Mr. Samuel Turner, of Trapper Creek, Alaska, has agreed to pay the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency a $8,000 penalty to resolve a CWA violation at his placer mine, near Petersville, Alaska. Mr. Turner’s agreement with EPA, called a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) covers a violation at a placer mine he operated along Spruce and Cache Creeks in the Yentna Mining District.

According to Edward Kowalski, director of EPA’s Regional Office of Compliance and Enforcement, whether for business or recreation, placer mining must be done responsibly.

“We know people enjoy placer mining for fun and profit, but Alaskan waters must be protected,” said EPA’s Kowalski. “Sediment from wash water can harm fish and their habitat if it enters rivers, lakes and streams. Protecting water quality needs to be top priority wherever and whenever mining happens.”

During an overflight of Mr. Turner’s placer mining operations in July 2010, inspectors documented the operator’s failure to retain wash plant wastewaters which were allowed to enter a ditch that was directly connected to Spruce Creek. Mr. Turner is covered under the Alaska General Permit for Mechanical Placer Miners for discharges into Cache Creek, not Spruce Creek, so this discharge violated Mr. Turner’s permit.

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Superfund & Brownfields News (Region 5): Sediment field sampling to begin today in Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior

MEDIA CONTACT:  Jayna Legg, 312-353-0562, legg.jayna@epa.gov 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE               
No. 11-OPA019

Sediment field sampling to begin today in Chequamegon Bay on Lake Superior

CHICAGO (Feb. 28, 2011) --- Survey and sediment sampling work will begin today at the Ashland Northern States Power Lakefront Superfund site in Ashland, Wisconsin.
 
The work is being done under the supervision of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Northern States Power of Wisconsin and its contractors will take sediment samples in Chequamegon Bay, in the area between the boat landing and the marina.

The sampling work will take about three weeks. Survey and sampling results will be used in the design of the cleanup at the site. Last fall, the EPA selected a cleanup plan that will cost between $83 million and $98 million.

For questions, contact Patricia Krause, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator at krause.patricia@epa.gov, 800-621-8431, Ext. 69506, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. weekdays; or John Robinson, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, at john.robinson@wisconsin.gov, 715-365-8976.

Additional information can be found online at http://www.epa.gov/region5/sites/ashland.

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Compliance and Enforcement News Release (HQ): PowerTrain to Pay $2 Million for Selling Thousands of Engines that Failed to Meet Clean Air Act Standards / Settlement will reduce emissions that cause smog and respiratory issues by more than 4,500 tons

CONTACT:
Stacy Kika
kika.stacy@epa.gov
202-564-0906
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2011


PowerTrain to Pay $2 Million for Selling Thousands of Engines that Failed to Meet Clean Air Act Standards

Settlement will reduce emissions that cause smog and respiratory issues by more than 4,500 tons

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced today that Mississippi-based PowerTrain, Inc. will pay a civil penalty of $2 million to resolve claims that the company imported and sold nearly 80,000 nonroad engines and equipment from China that did not meet standards under the Clean Air Act. 

"We enforce the standards for emissions from imported engines to protect the air we breathe and at the same time protect responsible companies that play by the rules,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement helps ensure cleaner air and a level playing field for companies that meet U.S. emissions standards.”  

“As this settlement shows, we will vigorously enforce the law to ensure that Americans buying foreign imports get environmentally sound products that conform with U.S. laws,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice.  “We will not allow those who cut corners and violate federal emission standards to gain an unfair economic advantage over responsible businesses who comply with our nation's clean air law.”

Between 2002 and 2008, PowerTrain imported 79,830 nonroad engines or pieces of equipment into the U.S. that were not covered by a Clean Air Act-required certificate of conformity. The engines and equipment were sold to businesses and individuals through Wood Sales Company Inc. and Tool Mart, Inc. The engines and equipment were not covered by certificates of conformity because they were different models, had different power ratings, or were made by a different manufacturer than the listed on the certificate. The engines also lacked two-year emissions-related warranties, as required by law.

Under the settlement, PowerTrain will implement a plan to ensure that the engines and equipment they import in the future comply with Clean Air Act requirements. They will also offset the excess emissions of hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide resulting from the sale of the illegal engines and equipment. As one of the offset projects, PowerTrain will spend an estimated $600,000 to provide subsidizes for consumers to replace old wood-burning appliances with efficient, EPA-certified wood stoves.

EPA estimates that the PowerTrain engines that were sold to the public caused excess emissions of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides, which contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog). Ground level ozone can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, coughing, throat irritation and congestion.  It can also worsen bronchitis, emphysema and asthma.

The settlement is the latest in a series of cases brought as part of EPA’s effort to ensure that vehicles and engines imported into the U.S. comply with Clean Air Act standards.   EPA and the Justice Department announced settlements with Pep Boys – Manny, Moe and Jack and Baja Inc., in 2010 and with the McCulloch Corporation, Jenn Feng Industrial Co. Ltd., MTD Southwest Inc. and MTD Products Inc. in 2008.

The proposed consent decree lodged with the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, will be subject to a 30-day public comment period.

More information on the settlement:
http://www.epa.gov/compliance/resources/cases/civil/caa/powertrain.html

Information on EPA requirements for imported vehicles and engines:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/index.htm

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Pesticides and Toxic Chemicals News Release (Region 9): U.S. EPA files complaint against Kama'aina Termite and Pest Control for misuse of pesticide products

For Immediate Release: February 28, 2011
Contact:  Dean Higuchi, 808-541-2711, higuchi.dean@epa.gov                         

U.S. EPA files complaint against Kama’aina Termite and Pest Control for misuse of pesticide products

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced the filing of an administrative complaint against Kama’aina Termite and Pest Control for misapplying and misusing Vikane, a fumigant pesticide at three different homes and one condominium, a violation of federal law. 

The company uses the EPA registered fumigant Vikane to treat structures and allegedly failed to follow required label instructions and safety precautions before using the fumigant at all four locations. This potentially exposed residents to unnecessary risk and reduced the treatment’s effectiveness. Vikane is a brand name for the chemical sulfuryl fluoride, a colorless, odorless gas used as an insecticide.

Specifically, Kama’aina Termite failed to turn off the gas stove/water heater pilot lights in one home, and required warning signs were not posted at two other homes. While treating the 44-story Keola La’i Condominium in Honolulu, the company did not remove food from several of the units and failed to open internal doors in the units before treatment. The violations were discovered through inspections conducted by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Pesticides Branch in 2007, 2008 and 2010.

 “We want to protect the health of families whose homes are being treated with toxic termite control products,” said Dean Higuchi, Hawaii Press Officer for the EPA’s Southwest Regional Office. “Fumigants such as Vikane are potentially dangerous when misapplied, and by law companies must follow the label directions with care.”   

Fines could be as high as $20,100 for five violations at the four locations.

The Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act regulates the sale, distribution, and use of pesticides within the United States. Before selling or distributing any pesticide in the United States, companies are required to register the pesticide with the EPA and ensure that the registered pesticide is properly labeled. The label of all EPA registered products must bear the EPA registration number, along with directions for use and safety precautions that need to be followed to avoid misapplication and misuse of the pesticide.

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News ADVISORY (Region 2): EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck to Visit St. Croix

 

EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck to Visit St. Croix

 

 

Contacts: John Martin (212) 637-3662, martin.johnj@epa.gov; Jim Casey (340) 714-2333, casey.jim@epa.gov; Bonnie Bellow (646) 369-0062, bellow.bonnie@epa.gov

 

(St. Thomas, V.I. – Feb. 28, 2011) In her first visit to St. Croix, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Judith Enck will meet with local leaders, environmental groups, academia and others about the state of the environment in St. Croix. The visit will culminate in EPA’s 40^th Anniversary Conference hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands.  All are encouraged to attend this conference.  Registration is required at: www.epa.gov/region02/40thanniversaryvi/.

 

Events open to the media and public during the Regional Administrator’s visit include:

 

EPA 40^th Anniversary Conference  

Friday, March 4^th, media session at lunch break, UVI St. Croix Campus, The Great Hall 2 Golden Grove, St. Croix:

Regional Administrator Enck will be joined by Delegate to Congress Christensen, Governor deJongh and other leaders in the environmental, government and academic fields for this important conference.  Topics covered will include EPA’s environmental and public health priorities for the USVI, waste management, recycling, air pollution controls, and other pressing environmental topics.  The full agenda and registration information are available at www.epa.gov/region02/40thanniversaryvi/.

 

Community Discussion on Protecting and Building a Safe Environment

Saturday, March 5^th at 10 am- Noon, St. Croix Educational Complex Auditorium.

Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen is inviting all residents to attend a community discussion on environmental and public health issues, “Voices, Values and Visions: Partners for Building a Safe, Healthy and Livable Virgin Islands Community,” with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Judith Enck and other EPA officials. 

 

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Grants News Release (Region 6): EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Justice Grants to Address Local Health and Environmental Issues

 

EPA Seeks Applicants for Environmental Justice Grants to Address Local Health and Environmental Issues

 

(DALLAS – February 28, 2011)  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 office in Dallas is accepting grant applications for $100,000 in funding to support projects designed to educate and enable communities to understand and address local health and environmental issues.  Eligible applicants from non-profit, faith-based and tribal organizations working in the community of the proposed project are encouraged to apply. 

 

EPA Region 6 will award four grants of $25,000 to support projects that address a community’s local environmental issues through collaborative partnerships. These grants are available in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

 

Additionally, four grants of up to $50,000 will be awarded nationally to gather science on the environmental and health impacts of exposure to multiple sources of pollution in communities.

 

Environmental justice means the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people, regardless of race or income, in the environmental decision-making process.  Environmental justice issues often involve multiple sources of contamination, like pollution from several industrial facilities within one neighborhood, environmental hazards at the workplace or home, or contamination resulting from the consumption of fish or other subsistence foods.

Applications must be postmarked by March 31, 2011.  For more information, including eligibility requirements, purposes, goals, and general procedures, please visit www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/resources/publications/grants/ej-smgrants-rfp-2011.pdf

More about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

 

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/feb2011.html

 

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For more information contact Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov 

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Awards and Recognition News Release (Region 6): EPA Announces Winners of 2010 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Awards

 

EPA Announces Winners of 2010 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Awards

 

(DALLAS – February 28, 2011)  The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced the winners of the 2010 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Awards for Sustainable Public Health Protection.  These awards recognize communities nationwide that advance the most innovative and effective DWSRF projects that further the goal of clean and safe drinking water through exceptional planning, management and finance.

 

EPA Region 6 award winners for 2010 are:  The City of Glenwood, Arkansas; City of Ville Platte, Louisiana; Wagoner Public Works Authority, Oklahoma; and City of Fort Worth, Texas.

 

“Our nation’s water systems face many problems from age and use,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz.  “These cities and authorities have shown how innovative thinking helps overcome these challenges to assure the people have access to safe water.”

 

The projects had to meet several mandatory criteria to qualify for the award including financial integrity, Safe Drinking Water Act compliance and public health benefits.  In addition, each nominee had to demonstrate leadership in one or more of the following criteria:  Use of DWSRF program funds to plan and/or execute an exceptional green project, use of innovative management strategies that promote sustainability of water infrastructure, use of full-cost pricing/affordability tools, encouragement of efficient water use, holistic source water resources benefit approach, innovation in financing and creative use of partnerships.

 

The 2010 DWSRF Awards recognize borrowers and their supporters who achieve results that go beyond the typical project, showing exceptional creativity and dedication to public health protection.

 

More information about activities in EPA Region 6 is available at http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.html

 

EPA audio file is available at http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/feb2011.html

 

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Air News Release (HQ): EPA Approves New Coolant for Car Air Conditioning Systems / Better climate protection without harming the ozone layer

CONTACT:
Cathy Milbourn
Milbourn.cathy@epa.gov
202-564-7849
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 28, 2011

EPA Approves New Coolant for Car Air Conditioning Systems

Better climate protection without harming the ozone layer

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued final approval for a new refrigerant for use in motor vehicle air conditioning systems that does not deplete the ozone layer, which helps protect the environment and people’s health. The new chemical, HFO-1234yf, may now be used in air conditioning for new cars and light trucks. When used appropriately, this chemical can reduce the environmental impact of motor vehicle air conditioners and has a global warming potential that is 99.7 percent less than the current chemical (HFC–134a) used in most car air conditioners.

“This new chemical helps fight climate change and ozone depletion," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. "It is homegrown innovative solutions like this that save lives and strengthen our economy."

EPA assists in the transition to green technologies by identifying alternatives that are better for people’s health and the environment. EPA’s recent standards for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty motor vehicles provide an opportunity for automakers to receive credit for adopting a chemical with less climate impact as a cost-effective way to meet the new standards. Using HFO-1234yf is one option available to automakers.

Prior to HFC-134a, car air conditioners generally used CFC-12, a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting substance. Depleting the stratospheric ozone layer leads to higher levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation reaching the Earth's surface. UV radiation has several harmful effects, including skin cancer, cataracts, immune system suppression, and premature aging and wrinkling of the skin. For these reasons, it is important to check the UV Index and remember sun safety: wear hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

More information:
http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/
http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

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