EPA v. U.S. ECOLOGY, INC.

Case summary

THIS SITE IS IN RURAL NORTH CENTRAL ILLINOIS. IT IS AN INACTIVE HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT FACILITY, NEXT DOOR TO THE SAME PRP'S LOW LEVEL NUCLEAR WASTE FACILITY. RESPONDENT CEASED TAKING IN WASTE IN 1983, WAS PLACED ON THE NPL FOR A BRIEF TIME IN 1985, AND SIGNED A CORRECTIVE ACTION AGREEMENT WITH U.S. EPA, ON OTHER MASTER IN 1986. HOWEVER, FROM 1986 TO THE PRESENT, RESPONDENT ESSENTRALLY CEASED COMPLYING WITH IL EPA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE PROVISIONS (THAT PARALLEL THE U.S. EPA REGULATIONS) CONCERNING FINANCIAL ASSURANCE AND INSURANCE. MORE OVER, RESPONDENT FAILED TO COMPLETE EITHER CLOSURE OR POST-CLOSURE. IL EPA REFERRED THE CASE TO U.S. EPA, AND ON OCT 29, 1992, U.S. EPA ISSUED A COMPLAINT AND PENALTY ASSESTMENT OF $1,021,735. RESPONDENT OFFERED TO PAY $1800. THE PARTIES HAVE MET ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, AND THERE IS A HIGH LIKEHOOD THAT THE CASE MAY GO TO A HEARING. CURRENTLY, U.S. EPA HAS COME DOWN TO $325,000; AND, RESPONDENT HAS COME UP TO $70,000. U.S. EPA HAS FILED A PRE-HEARING EXCHANGE AND IS FILING A MOTION FOR ACCELERATED DECISION IN EARLY JULY 1993.

Defendants (1)

• U.S. ECOLOGY, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• US ECOLOGY INC

  RAILROAD ST, SHEFFIELD, IL, 61361

  Registry ID: 110006864660

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3008A — Compliance Order: Injunctive & Penalty

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• U.S. ECOLOGYentered 1997-08-04

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $1,020,000

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 1992-09-29Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 1993-07-19Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1997-08-04Final Order Issued
• 1997-08-30Enforcement Action Closed