EPA v. The Kraemer Company

Case summary

On March 12, 2015, Region 5 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) commencing and concluding an action against The Kraemer Company, LLC (TKC) of Plain, Wisconsin. TKC is one of the largest aggregate producers in Wisconsin, producing crushed stone for many applications including agricultural lime and paving materials. The CAFO alleges violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) against TKC for acting as a hazardous waste storage facility without a hazardous waste license, for transporting hazardous waste without a manifest, for failing to have a proper hazardous waste contingency plan, and for failing to provide hazardous waste management training to its employees. TKC had been generating a hazardous waste metallic slag from the repair of its milling equipment throughout the state and transporting the waste slag to its location in Plain for storage. Under RCRA, most facilities that receive hazardous waste for storage from off-site locations are required, among other things, to have a hazardous waste storage license. As part of settlement, TKC has committed to a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) which requires the company to purchase and operate a mobile baghouse unit at all times the company operates its lime milling equipment for the next 24 months. The SEP has been valued at $177,700. In addition to the SEP, TKC will pay a civil penalty of $62,220. The CAFO does not require injunctive relief as TKC has already invested several hundred thousand dollars in new equipment that will no longer generate hazardous waste.

Defendants (1)

• The Kraemer Company, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MATHY CONSTRUCTION - PLAIN SHOP

  680 BRIDGE RD, PLAIN, WI, 53577

  Registry ID: 110017287121

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3004 — Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• THE KRAEMER COMPANYentered 2015-03-12

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $62,220 · SEP: $177,729

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2015-03-12Final Order Issued
• 2015-03-12Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-03-25Enforcement Action Data Entered