EPA v. ROANE METALS GROUP (COE ACO)

Case summary

U.S. EPA Region 5 issued an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) to Roane Metals Group (RMG) to resolve violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA). EPA alleged that RMG accepted for recycling small appliances, such as refrigerators and room air conditioners, and motor vehicle air conditioners (MVACs) that contained or once contained ozone-depleting refrigerants, without either recovering the refrigerant from the appliances or verifying that the refrigerant had been properly recovered prior to sale to RMG, in violation of regulations found at 40 CFR 82.156. EPA issued a Finding of Violation to RMG on September 15, 2014. The ACO requires RMG to obtain refrigerant recovery equipment and to properly recover the refrigerant from small appliances and MVACs it accepts for scrap at its Rockwood, Tennessee facility, or to use verification statements or refrigerant recovery contracts to ensure the refrigerant is removed properly prior to delivery of the item to RMG's facility. RMG's refrigerant recovery program is estimated to recover a minimum of 120 lbs of ozone-depleting refrigerants per year. Since the refrigerants used in small appliances and MVACs are also potent greenhouse gases, these resolutions will, in addition to protecting the ozone layer, have the added benefit of reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases that contribute to global climate change.

Defendants (1)

• ROANE METALS GROUPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ROANE METALS GROUP

  284 CARDIFF VALLEY ROAD, ROCKWOOD, TN, 37854

  Registry ID: 110015322417

Statutes cited

• CAA 608 — National Recycling & Emission Reduction Program

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ROANE METALS GROUP (COE ACO)entered 2015-09-29

  Primary law: CAA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2015-09-29Final Order Issued
• 2015-10-06Enforcement Action Data Entered