EPA v. ARMSTRONG WORLD IND.

Case summary

A. DEFENDANT THE DEF IS ARMSTONG WORLD INDUSTRIES, INC., A PA. CORP. ENGAGED IN, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MANUFACTURE OF FLOOR COVERINGS AT A PLANT IN LANCASTER COUNTY, PA. THE MANUFAC- TURING PROCESS INVOVLES SURFACE COATING OPERATIONS WHICH GENERATE EMISSION OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOC), AN AIR POLLUTANT REGULATED UNDER PA.'S STATE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE ATTAINMENT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE NAT'L AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD FOR OZONE (SEE 40 CFR SECTION 50.9). ARMSTORNG HAS BEEN IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE'S PLAN WITH RESPECT TO VOC EMISSIONS FROM CERTAIN SURFACE COATING LINES AT THE PLANT SINCE 4/9/82, THE APPLICABLE COMPLIANCE DEADLINE IN THE PENNSYLVANIA PLAN. B FACTUAL BASIS FOR CIVIL LITIGATION THE AGENCY ISSUED A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION TO ARMSTRONG UNDER THE CAA, 42 USC SECT 7401 (THE ACT), IN ORDER TO DETERMINE ARMSTRONG'S COMPLIANCE STATUS WITH RESPECT TO THE PA PLAN REQUIREMENTS GOVERNING VOC EMISSIONS FROM SURFACE COATING PROCESSES. ARMSTRONG'S RESPONSE INDICATED VIOLATIONS & THE AGENCY ISSUED AN N.O.V. DATED 12/5/82. ARMSTRONG CONTINUES TO BE IN VIOLATION. COMPLIANCE IS POSSIBLE THROUGH ONE OF THE FOLLWOING: 1. USE OF ALTERNATIVE COAT- INGS WITH LOWER VOC CONTENT OR 2. THE INSTALLATION OF CONTROL EQUIPMENT. C. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES OF VIOLATIONS ARMSTRONG'S LANCASTER, PA. PLANT IS LOCATED IN A PRIMARY NONATTAINMENT AREA FOR OZONE. ALTHOUGH THE EXCESS VOC EMISSIONS RESULTING FROM THE VIOLATIONS CANNOT BE DIRECTLY LINKED WITH MONITORED VIOLATIONS OF THE NAT'L AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARD, THESE VIOLATIONS REPRESENT DELAY IN AT- TAINMENT OF THE STANDARD BY 12/31/82 AND MAY REPRESENT VIOLATIONS OF THE ACT'S REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL REASONABLY AVAILABLE CONTROL MEASURES , REASONABLE FURTHER PROGRESS , TOWARD ATTAINMENT AND ATTAINMENT AS EXPEDITIOUSLY AS PRACTICABLE BUT NOT LATER THAN 12/31/82.

Defendants (1)

• ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• ARMSTRONG WORLD IND INC/FLOOR C

  LIBERTY & CHARLOTTE, LANCASTER, PA, 17604

  Registry ID: 110000584127

• ARMSTRONG WORLD IND INC/FLOOR C

  LIBERTY & CHARLOTTE, LANCASTER, PA, 17604

  Registry ID: 110000584127

Statutes cited

• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ARMSTRONG WORLD INDUSTRIES INCentered 1984-10-29

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $80,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1983-10-25Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1983-12-28Referred To Headquarters
• 1984-01-18Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1984-03-30Complaint Filed With Court
• 1984-10-29Final Order Lodged
• 1984-10-29Final Order Entered
• 1984-10-29Concluded
• 1987-07-28Enforcement Action Closed