EPA v. TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE WALKER MANUFACTURING CO

Case summary

ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2001, EPA, REGION III ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT AGAINST TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE WALKER MANUFACTURING COMPANY ( TENNECO ), A DIRECT SUBSIDIARY OF TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE, INC. TENNECO IS LOCATED IN HARRISBURG, VIRGINIA. THE COMPLAINT WAS ISSUED PURSUANT TO SECTION 103 OF THE COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE, COMPENSATION AND LIABILIT ACT OF 1980, AS AMENDED, ( CERCLA ), 42 U.S.C. SECTION 9603. IN THE COMPLAINT, EPA ALLEGES THAT TENNECO FAILED TO TIMELY NOTIFY THE NATIONAL RESPONSE CENTER OF THE RELEASE INTO THE ENVIRONMENT ON FEBRUARY 18, 2000 OF 3,224 POUNDS OF CHROMIC ACID. THE CHROMIC ACID WAS RELEASED WHEN A CONTAINER WAS PUNCTURED BY A FORKLIFT. EPA HAS PROPOSED A PENALTY OF $24,063.

Defendants (1)

• TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE WALKER MANUFACTURINGNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE WALKER MFG CO

  4500 EARLY RD, HARRISONBURG, VA, 22801

  Registry ID: 110010616832

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• TENNECO AUTOMOTIVE WALKER MANUFACTURING COentered 2002-04-19

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $12,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2001-07-24Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2001-09-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2002-04-19Final Order Issued
• 2002-05-07Enforcement Action Closed