EPA v. AUGUSTA UTILITIES

Case summary

3/9/2011 - CONSENT AGREEMENT AND FINAL ORDER ISSUED, ASSESSING A TOTAL PENALTY OF $51,800 (CERCLA VIOLATION - $17,300; EPCRA VIOLATION - $34,500). ORDER ALLEGES: ON JUNE 13, 2010, RESPONDENT HAD A RELEASE OF CHLORINE ABOVE THE RQ AT THE FACILITY. RESPONDENT FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE NRC AS SOON AS RESPONDENT HAD KNOWLEDGE OF TH RELEASE OF CHLORINE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN ITS RQ AT RESPONDENT'S FACILITY. IN VIOLATION OF CERCLA SECTION 103(a). RESPONDENT FAILED TO IMMEDIATELY NOTIFY THE SERC AND LEPC AS SOON AS RESPONDENT HAD KNOWLEDGE OF THE RELEASE OF CHLORINE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE RQ AT RESPONDENT'S FACILITY. IN VIOLATION OF EPCRA SECTION 304(a). RESPONDENT FAILED TO PROVIDE WRITTEN FOLLOW-UP EMERGENCY NOTICE TO THE SERC AND THE LEPC WHEN THERE HAD BEEN A RELEASE OF CHLORINE IN AN AMOUNT EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN THE RQ AT RESPONDENT'S FACILITY. IN VIOLATION OF EPCRA SECTION 304(c).

Defendants (1)

• AUGUSTA UTILITIESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• AUGUSTA UTILITIES DEPARTMENT

  360 BAY STREET, SUITE 180, AUGUSTA, GA, 30901

  Registry ID: 110064283172

Statutes cited

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

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• AUGUSTA UTILITIESentered 2011-03-09

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $51,800

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2011-03-09Final Order Issued
• 2011-03-09Enforcement Action Closed
• 2011-03-09Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2011-03-17Enforcement Action Data Entered