EPA v. VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL CENTER

Case summary

EPA INSPECTORS FROM THE RCRA TECHNICAL OFFICE CONDUCTED A MULTIMEDIA COMPLIANCE INSPECTION ON JUNE 19,2003 AT WHICH RCRA VIOLATIONS WERE IDENTIFIED. (A FOLLOW-UP INSPECTION WS CONDUCTED ON APRIL 2, 2004). THE MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY SIGNIFICANT RCRA COUNTS WERE BASED ON WRJVA's IMPROPER STORAGE OF POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE IN ITS CLINICAL LABORATORY AND PATHOLOGY AREAS. SPECIFICALLY, WASTE CONTAINERS OF ETHER AND PICRIC ACID (EXPLOSIVE/SCHOCK SENSITIVE WASTE) WERE DISCOVERED DURING THE INSPECTION. THE WHITE RIVER JUNCTION FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED WRJVA TO SECURE THE IMMEDIATE AREA AND EVACUATE THE PATHOLOGY LAB. WRJVA, EPA AND STATE OFFICIALS AGREED THAT THE CONTAINERS OF ETHER AND PICRIC ACID SHOULD BE REMOVED AND DETONATED IN A SECURE LOCATION. NEW ENGLAND CHEMICAL & EXPOLOSIVE DISPOSAL COMPANY INC WAS ENGAGED TO CARRY OUT THE REMOVAL AND DETONATION. ON JUNE 26, 2003, THE CONTAINERS WERE REMOVED AND DETONATED. THE REPRESENTATIVE ESTIMATED THAT THE EXPLOSIVE POWER OF THE DETONATED WASTES EQUALED SEVERAL STICKS OF DYNAMITE.

Defendants (1)

• VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL CENTERNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL CENTER

  215 NORTH MAIN ST VA DRIVE, WHITE RIVER JUNCTION, VT, 050090001

  Registry ID: 110010409183

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• VETERANS ADMINISTRATION REGIONAL CENTERentered 2006-12-21

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $50,000 · SEP: $140,224

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2005-06-28Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2005-09-02Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-12-21Final Order Issued