EPA v. PRINCETON PAPER CO

Case summary

ORAL AUTHORITY TO WORK WITH DOJ WAS GIVEN BY JOANNA JERISON IN LIEU OF REFERRAL.(PER MICHELLE LAUTERBACK). THE U.S. SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES OF COST INCURRED BY THE COAST GUARD PURSUANT TO THE CLEAN WATER ACT AS AMENDED BY THE OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990. ALL EXPENSES WERE INCURRED AFTER JUNE 7, 1999, THE DATE THAT THE DEBTOR PRINCETON PAPER CO FILED FOR BANKRUPTCY. ASBESTOS CONTAMINATION: STEAM PLANT HOUSES SIX BOILERS WHICH ARE SIX STORIES IN HEIGHT AND A NETWORK OF PIPES. EPA HAS TESTED MATERIAL COVERING BOILERS, PIPES LOCATED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING AND FOUND THE PRESENCE OF ASBESTOSIN A FRIABLE CONDITION. OIL SPILL: ON OR ABOUT SEPTEMBER 15, 2000 APPROXIMATELY 5000-6000 GALLONS OF #6 FUEL OIL LEAKED FROM BOILER TANKS IN BOILER ROOM ONTO FLOOR AND FLOOR DRAINS. OIL WAS UTIMATELY DISCHARGED INTO THE NASHUA RIVER. THE WATER MIGRATED AT LEAST FOUR MILES DOWNSTREAM. DEBTOR REFUSED TO UNDERTAKE CLEAN UP. THE FEDERAL ON SCENE COORDINATOR ACCESSED THE OIL SPILL FUND TO PAY FOR THE WORK PERFORMED DURING THE OIL REMOVAL ACTION AND INCURRED COSTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $192,910.72 OF WHICH $179,396.20 HAS BEEN INCURRED BY THE MASSACHUSETTS DEP OR ITS CONTRACTOR, NONE OF WHICH HAS BEEN REIMBURSED.

Defendants (1)

• PRINCETON PAPER COMPANYNamed in complaint

Facilities (1)

• PRINCETON PAPER COMPANY

  545 WESTMINSTER STREET, FITCHBURG, MA, 014200000

  Registry ID: 110002020054

Statutes cited

• CWA 311F — Oil Removal Cost Recovery
• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2001-01-18Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2001-02-15Complaint Filed With Court
• 2001-03-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2002-09-30Enforcement Action Closed