EPA v. Tonawanda Coke Corporation

Case summary

Respondent owns and operates a coke oven in Tonawanda, NY. The facility was inspected during the week of April 13, 2009. Numerous violations of both the NESHAPs and the MACT were found. Source became a furnace manufacturer in 2007 and 2008 and therefore, a number of process tanks previously not controlled were now required to be controlled. Also Respondent did not implement a proper LDAR program to detect equipment leaks. For the BWON requirements, Respondent failed to identify all the waste streams to determine the facility TAB. With respect to the MACT regulations, Respondent failed to document when repairs were made to leaks in the collector main and failed to provide annual refresher training to the coke oven operators. Respondent also failed to submit test protocol to complete emissions testing on the main under-fire stack, the boiler stack and for the ammonia stripper inlet waste and failed to submit a QAPP for DIAL testing at the coke oven. Pursuant to an inspection done in April 2009 and a compliance order issued on January 7, 2010, Respondent has undertaken several projects to reduce emissions at the facility. Previously, Respondent used the ammonia still to strip the ammonia and other pollutants from the weak ammonia liquor and vented it directly to the atmosphere. Respondent discontinued this practice and is now combusting the vent stream in the boiler.

Defendants (1)

• Tonawanda Coke CorporationNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TONAWANDA COKE CORPORATION

  3875 RIVER RD, TONAWANDA, NY, 14150

  Registry ID: 110000326772

Statutes cited

• CAA 112D — MACT Standards
• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Tonawanda Coke Corporationentered 2010-01-07

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2010-01-07Enforcement Action Closed
• 2010-01-07Final Order Issued
• 2010-02-23Enforcement Action Data Entered