EPA v. NICHOLS AUTO PARTS

Case summary

On September 29, 2020, EPA approved a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) resolving six administrative penalty complaints for Clean Air Act (CAA) engine and CFC violations found at Connecticut Scrap, LLC and its five related entities. Nichols Auto Parts was one of the associated entities. EPA had alleged that CT Scrap violated the Hazardous Air Pollutant regulations regarding diesel engines and CFC refrigerant regulations at its metal recycling operations. Since the allegations were alleged, CT Scrap took its engine out of service by connecting to grid power and has represented that it is complying with the CFC regulations. Pursuant to the CAFO, CT Scrap will pay a total penalty of $160,000. The Nichols Auto Parts portion of the penalty is $26,666. Respondent failed to properly recover refrigerant and/or verify that refrigerant had been recovered from any materials containing refrigerant, using signed statements or contracts prior to receipt of these materials by Nichols. The Region has evidence of three years of CFC violations at Nichols and its five related entities from 2015-2018. Nichols and its entities are currently in compliance.

Defendants (1)

• NICHOLS AUTO PARTSNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NICHOLS AUTO PARTS

  46 MEADOW ROAD, CLINTON, CT, 06413

  Registry ID: 110070236408

Statutes cited

• CAA 608 — National Recycling & Emission Reduction Program

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• NICHOLS AUTO PARTSentered 2020-09-29

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $26,666

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2019-12-19Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2020-01-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2020-09-29Final Order Issued