EPA v. BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

Case summary

On June 7, 2022, EPA Region III filed a signed Consent Agreement and Final Order ( CAFO ) resolving an action against Bear Island Paper WB, Inc. ( Bear Island ) for an alleged violation of Section 103 of CERCLA and Section 304 of EPCRA, in connection with a facility located in Ashland, VA. EPA alleges that Bear Island failed to immediately notify the National Response Center, the State Emergency Planning Commission, and the Local Emergency Planning Committee of a sodium hydroxide release from its facility on April 17, 2019 located in Ashland, VA. The agreement requires Respondent to pay $36,000 in civil penalties. The state of Virginia was advised of this enforcement action and did not raise any objections. CERCLA 103 and EPCRA 304 release reporting and chemical identification helps communities plan for chemical emergencies by requiring industry to report on the storage, use, and releases of hazardous substances to federal, state, and local governments allowing them to use this information to prepare their community from potential risks.

Defendants (1)

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (9)

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLC

  10026 OLD RIDGE RD., ASHLAND, VA, 230055119

  Registry ID: 110000341559

Statutes cited

• EPCRA 304 — Emergency Release Notification Section 313 Program
• CERCLA 103A — Notification of Hazardous Reportable Quantity Release

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• BEAR ISLAND PAPER COMPANY WB, LLCentered 2022-06-07

  Primary law: CERCLA

  Federal penalty: $36,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2022-06-07Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2022-06-07Final Order Issued
• 2022-06-10Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2022-06-29Enforcement Action Closed