EPA v. ROHM AND HAAS

Case summary

ON SEPTEMBER 30, 1999, EPA ISSUED TWO ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT AGAINST ROHM AND HAAS CORPORATION ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF EPCRA SECTION 304, 42 U.S.C. 11004 AND CERCLA SECTION 103, 42 U.S.C. 9603 AND ASSESSING PENALTIES UNDER EPCRA SECTION 325, 42 U.S.C. 11025 AND CERCLA SECTION 109, 42 U.S.C. 9609. THE CERCLA COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT ROHM AND HAAS, ON TWO OCCASIONS, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE RELEASE OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, EQUAL TO OR ABOVE THE APPLICABLE REPORTABLE QUANTITY TO THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER AS REQUIRED BY CERCLA SECTION 103. THE EPCRA COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT ROHM AND HAAS: (1) ON TWO OCCASIONS, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE RELEASE OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, ABOVE THE APPLICABLE REPORTABLE QUANTITY, TO THE APPROPRIATE STATE EMERGENCY RESPONSE COMMISSION (SERC) AS REQUIRED BY EPCRA SECTION 304(A) AND (B); (2) ON TWO OCCASIONS, FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY REPORT THE RELEASE OF A HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE, ABOVE THE APPLICABLE REPORTABLE QUANTITY, TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL EMERGENCY PLANNING COMMISSIONS (LEPC) AS REQUIRED BY EPCRA SECTION 304(A) AND (B); (3) ON THREE OCCASIONS, FAILED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP NOTIFICATION CONCERNING A REPORTABLE RELEASE TO THE APPROPRIATE SERC AS REQUIRED BY EPCRA SECTION 304(C); (4) ON THREE OCCASIONS, FAILED TO PROVIDE TIMELY WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP NOTIFICATION CONCERNING A REPORTABLE RELEASE TO THE APPROPRIATE LEPC AS REQUIRED BY EPCRA SECTION 304(C).

Defendants (1)

• ROHM AND HAASNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• ROHM & HAAS COMPANY PHILADELPHIA PLANT

  5000 RICHMOND ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19137

  Registry ID: 110000492413

• ROHM & HAAS COMPANY PHILADELPHIA PLANT

  5000 RICHMOND ST., PHILADELPHIA, PA, 19137

  Registry ID: 110000492413

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 109 — Superfund
• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ROHM AND HAASentered 2000-09-15

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $13,333

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 1999-09-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1999-10-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2000-09-15Final Order Issued
• 2000-10-17Enforcement Action Closed