EPA v. SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY)

Case summary

On April 19, 2024, Region 3 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order, simultaneously commencing and concluding an administrative enforcement action against the Smithsonian Institution, the owner/operator of Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C. (the Facility), for alleged violations of RCRA Subtitle C and the District of Columbia's federally authorized hazardous waste management regulations. The settlement will ensure that hazardous and universal waste at the Facility is properly managed and stored and that the Facility is in compliance with RCRA and the District of Columbia's hazardous waste management regulations. The alleged violations include: (1) operation without a hazardous waste permit or interim status; (2) failure to properly mark or label universal waste containers; (3) failure to properly manage universal waste containers; (4) failure to conduct required weekly inspections; (5) failure to conduct required training; and (6) failure to update/maintain a contingency plan. Respondent is currently in compliance with the requirements and has agreed to pay a settlement penalty of $65,376. EPA informed the District of Columbia Department of Energy and the Environment of this enforcement action and received no objection.

Defendants (1)

• SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTIONNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

  10TH & CONSTITUTION AVE., NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20560

  Registry ID: 110028981216

• SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

  10TH & CONSTITUTION AVENUE NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20560-0117

  Registry ID: 110028981216

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION (SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY)entered 2024-04-19

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $65,376

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2024-04-19Final Order Issued
• 2024-04-19Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-04-25Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2024-05-15Enforcement Action Closed