EPA v. Stremel Manufacturing/Chandler Industries, Inc. (Minneapolis MN) ESA

Case summary

Stremel Manufacturing provides high precision fabricated components to the aerospace industry. This facility was referred to EPA by the Minnesota State Emergency Response Commission (SERC). Stremel reported the storage of 95,600 pounds of cryogenic liquid oxygen on their Tier II report for calendar year 2010 under EPCRA, but failed to submit Tier II reports for subsequent years. An Information Request was sent to this facility on August 2, 2013, however a response was never received. Due to that lack of response, an Inspection was conducted at the facility on June 6, 2014. Based on the Inspection Report, Stremel was storing 10,117 pounds of liquid nitrogen. They use the liquid nitrogen in laser cutting operations. They switched from liquid oxygen to liquid nitrogen sometime in calendar year 2011. Liquid nitrogen has a 10,000 pound threshold for reporting. Stremel Manufacturing submitted the past reports on October 30, 2013 for calendar year 2012, on May 29, 2014 for calendar year 2013, and April 3, 2015 for calendar year 2014. These reports were all submitted late even after several contacts from both the SERC and the EPA. Stremel Manufacturing certified that they corrected all violations and paid the agreed-upon $2,000 civil penalty to the U.S. Treasury.

Defendants (1)

• Chandler Industries, Inc./Stremel Mfg DivnNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• STREMEL MANUFACTURING CO

  260 PLYMOUTH AVE N, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55411-3465

  Registry ID: 110057678909

• CHANDLER INDUSTRIES INC STREMEL DIVISION

  260 PLYMOUTH AVE N, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55411

  Registry ID: 110057678909

• STREMEL MANUFACTURING CO

  260 PLYMOUTH AVE N, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55411-3465

  Registry ID: 110057678909

• CHANDLER INDUSTRIES INC STREMEL DIVISION

  260 PLYMOUTH AVE N, MINNEAPOLIS, MN, 55411

  Registry ID: 110057678909

Statutes cited

• EPCRA 312 — Emergency and Hazardous Chemical Inventory Forms

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Stremel Manufacturing/Chandler Industries, Inc. (Minneapolis MN) ESAentered 2015-09-15

  Primary law: EPCRA

  Federal penalty: $2,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2015-09-15Enforcement Action Closed
• 2015-09-15Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-09-15Final Order Issued
• 2015-09-15Pipeline Closed
• 2015-09-16Enforcement Action Data Entered