EPA v. NORTHLAND ENVIRONMENTAL

Case summary

On March 15, 2012, Region 1 filed a complaint against Northland Environmental, LLC and PSC Environmental, LLC, the operator and owner, respectively, of a commercial hazardous waste storage and treatment facility located in Providence, RI, for violations of RCRA. Northland failed to comply with its Permit and numerous hazardous waste regulations, as follows: (1) failure to conduct hazardous waste determinations and conduct proper waste analysis; (2) failure to comply with land disposal restriction requirements; (3) failure to determine the average volatile organic concentration of hazardous waste placed in a tank; (4) storage of hazardous waste in tanks that are in poor condition and failure to support and protect ancillary equipment; (5) storage of incompatible hazardous wastes; (6) failure to use appropriate controls and practices to prevent spills and overflows from tanks or containment systems; (7) failure to remove standing water from tank secondary containment systems within 24 hours; (8) storage of hazardous waste containers in unpermitted areas; (9) failure to maintain adequate aisle space between hazardous waste containers; (10) failure to separate containers of incompatible wastes; (11) failure to store hazardous waste in containers that are in good condition; (12) failure to keep hazardous waste and universal waste containers closed; (13) failure to properly label hazardous waste and universal waste containers; (14) failure to date hazardous waste and universal waste containers; (15) failure to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion or unplanned release of hazardous waste; and (16) failure to adequately conduct and document inspections. In the complaint, Region 1 pled the statutory maximum penalty of $37,500 per violation per day. Settlement: Northland/PSC will pay a civil penaltly of $58,278 and will spend $252,152 on a SEP involving chemical waste cleanouts at high schools and middle schools in Rhode Island and Massachusett. The respondents also aeed to maintain the facility in compliance with RCRA.

Defendants (1)

• NORTHLAND ENVIRONMENTALNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NORTHLAND ENVIRONMENTAL

  275 ALLENS AVE, PROVIDENCE, RI, 02905-5003

  Registry ID: 110000618644

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3004 — Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Standards
• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• NORTHLAND ENVIRONMENTALentered 2013-01-28

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $58,278 · SEP: $252,152

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2011-10-26Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2012-03-14Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2013-01-28Final Order Issued