EPA v. GULF STATES STEEL, INC.

Case summary

THIS ENFORCEMENT ACTION INVOLVES A FACILITY THAT HAS BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH ITS NPDES PERMIT SINCE GULF STATES STEEL PURCHASED THE FACILITY IN 1987. THE FACILITY HAS HAD AT LEAST 2,100 EFFLUENT LIMIT VIOLATIONS SINCE 11/01/89. ADEM AND THE ALABAMA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE HAVE TAKEN 9 ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AGAINST THE FACILITY, RECOVERING INADEQUATE PENALTIES. FURTHER, THE FACILITY NEVER CAME INTO COMPLIANCE. WITH THIS ACTION, EPA SEEKS A MAXIMUM CIVIL PENALTY OF $52.5 MILLION AND REMEDIATION OF BLACK CREEK, THE RECEIVING WATER FOR THE FACILITY'S DISCHARGE.

Defendants (1)

• GULF STATES STEEL, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• GULF STATES STEEL INCORPORATED OF ALABAMA

  174 SOUTH 26TH STREET, GADSDEN, AL, 35904

  Registry ID: 110000745472

• GULF STATES STEEL INCORPORATED OF ALABAMA

  174 SOUTH 26TH STREET, GADSDEN, AL, 35904

  Registry ID: 110000745472

• GULF STATES STEEL INCORPORATED OF ALABAMA

  174 SOUTH 26TH STREET, GADSDEN, AL, 35904

  Registry ID: 110000745472

• GULF STATES STEEL INCORPORATED OF ALABAMA

  174 SOUTH 26TH STREET, GADSDEN, AL, 35904

  Registry ID: 110000745472

Statutes cited

• CERCLA 106A — Imminent & Substantial Endangerment Order
• CERCLA 107A — Cost Recovery
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GULF STATES STEEL, INC.entered 2000-05-19

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $8,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1993-04-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1994-09-29Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1997-10-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 2000-05-19Concluded
• 2000-05-19Final Order Entered
• 2000-05-19Final Order Lodged
• 2005-10-25Enforcement Action Closed