EPA v. GLOBE METALLURGICAL, INC.

Case summary

Globe Metallurgical, Inc. has agreed to a consent decree that would require it to pay a $2.6 million civil penalty, implement an estimated $6.5 million in new and improved air pollution emissions controls, and limit the sulfur content of inputs in its metal production process to settle alleged violations of the Clean Air Act (CAA) at a ferroalloy production facility in Beverly, Ohio. EPA had alleged that Globe violated CAA requirements following the expansion of one of its furnaces, including a failure to assess best available pollution control technology for the modified furnace and failure to demonstrate compliance with regulations applicable to ferroalloy production plants. The United States also alleged that Globe had a history of excessive emissions of PM from the facility in violation of its existing permits. In addition to paying a penalty, Globe will now be required to utilize coal and other materials with a specified reduced-sulfur content to limit the generation of harmful SO2 emissions. Globe will also take significant steps to reduce emissions of PM, including construction of an additional pollution control baghouse, and implementation of physical improvements to equipment and changes to operational practices to reduce emissions of PM both from stacks and directly to the atmosphere from equipment. Globe will also be conducting extensive testing and implementing significantly enhanced monitoring of air pollutants in order to ensure ongoing compliance. The consent decree also brings the Globe facility?s pollution control obligations up to date with environmental regulations that post-date the plant?s construction, including stricter limits on PM and carbon monoxide emissions.

Defendants (1)

• GLOBE METALLURGICAL, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• FERROGLOBE USA METALLURGICAL, INC.

  COUNTY ROUTE 32, WATERFORD, OH, 45786

  Registry ID: 110057243040

Statutes cited

• CAA TITLE5 — Title V Permits
• CAA 112D — MACT Standards
• CAA 110 — Implementation Plan for National Primary and Secondary Ambient Air Quality Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GLOBE METALLURGICAL, INC.entered 2023-10-12

  Primary law: CAA

  Federal penalty: $2,600,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2016-06-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2016-07-11Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2023-07-25Complaint Filed With Court
• 2023-07-25Final Order Lodged
• 2023-10-12Final Order Entered