EPA v. POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (BENNING SERVICE CENTER)

Case summary

On April 26, 2017, Region III entered into a Consent Agreement with, and issued a Final Order to Potomac Electric Power Company ( PEPCO ), settling alleged violations of RCRA Subtitle C that EPA inspectors observed during an inspection of the company's facility in Washington, D.C. ( Facility ). The settlement will ensure that lead and mercury contaminated waste will be properly contained and managed in the future. The Facility serves as a maintenance and construction base for PEPCO's electric transmission and distribution system in the District of Columbia. Because of the lead and mercury contaminated waste stored there, the PEPCO is required to comply with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the federally-authorized D.C. Hazardous Waste Regulations at the Facility. RCRA is designed to protect human health and the environment by providing for the safe management of such hazardous wastes. During the inspection of the Facility, and through subsequent communications, the EPA Inspector observed that the PEPCO: (1) operated a hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility without a permit or interim status; (2) failed to keep hazardous waste containers closed; (3) failed to conduct effective inspections of hazardous waste storage areas; (4) failed to maintain fire protection equipment; and (5) failed to maintain an adequate contingency plan. The Company has agreed to pay a penalty of $54,000 to settle the enforcement action. The Consent Agreement and Final Order initiate and resolve this enforcement action. EPA informed the District's Department of Energy and the Environment ( DOEE ) of this enforcement action and received no objection.

Defendants (1)

• POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• BENNING SERVICE CENTER

  3300 BENNING ROAD NE, WASHINGTON, DC, 20019

  Registry ID: 110070727741

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER COMPANY (BENNING SERVICE CENTER)entered 2017-04-26

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $54,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2017-04-26Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2017-04-26Final Order Issued
• 2017-04-28Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2017-05-12Enforcement Action Closed