EPA v. SOLVAY USA INC.

Case summary

The Solvay USA CAFO resolved alleged violations of RCRA by Solvay USA Inc. (Solvay USA or the facility), a large quantity generator of hazardous waste located in University Park, Illinois. The facility produces amphoterics, preservatives, performance concentrates/blends, glycol esters, amides/amidoamines/oxides, quats and sulfosuccinates for the Solvay Novecare global business unit. EPA?s allegations were based on information and documents provided by Solvay USA during an IEPA inspection on April 29, 2014 and in response to an IEPA Notice of Violation, an EPA Request for Information, a Pre-Filing Notice and Opportunity to Confer Letter (Pre-Filing Letter), and to pre-filing settlement discussions. IEPA referred the facility to EPA on October 20, 2014. The CAFO was issued for a violation concerning the failure to conduct hazardous waste determinations or retain determination records, and storage of hazardous waste without a permit or interim status by failing to meet the following permit exemption conditions: storing hazardous waste for over 90 days; failing to mark or label hazardous waste containers with the words, ?Hazardous Waste?; failing to mark hazardous waste containers with an accumulation start date; failure to maintain aisle space in the hazardous waste storage area; failure to conduct weekly inspections of the hazardous waste storage area, and failure to train employees. Solvay will pay a $200,000 cash penalty and spend a minimum of $250,000 for two Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs). SEP 1 will improve containment by enclosing the less-than 90-day hazardous waste storage area with four walls and a roof. This improvement will protect the accumulated waste containers and labels of over seven tons of hazardous waste from erosion due to ice, snow, wind, rain and UV, per year. SEP 2 will convert an existing 10,000 gallon storage tank into a less-than 90-day hazardous waste storage tank system for waste methanol accumulation. This improvement will substantially reduce the risk of accidental releases during waste transfer, protecting over 52 tons of hazardous waste per year

Defendants (1)

• SOLVAY USA INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SOLVAY - UNIVERSITY PARK FACILITY

  24601 GOVERNORS HWY, UNIVERSITY PARK, IL, 60484

  Registry ID: 110000433175

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SOLVAY USA INC.entered 2016-03-04

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $200,000 · SEP: $250,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2016-03-04Final Order Issued
• 2016-03-04Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2016-03-10Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2017-03-15Compliance Achieved
• 2017-03-15Enforcement Action Closed