EPA v. EES Coke Battery / DTE Energy

Case summary

On January 25, 2017, U.S. EPA Region 5 filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) that simultaneously commences and concludes an administrative action with EES Coke Battery, LLC (EES) of Detroit, Michigan. EES produces metallurgical-grade coke for use in steelmaking and processes coking by-products into tar and light oil chemical products. The CAFO alleges that EES violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as determined during inspections in March 2014 and March 2015. During the inspections, it was found that 1) EES stored hazardous waste greater than 90 days without a license or interim status, 2) EES failed to properly label and date containers of hazardous waste and 3) EES failed to minimize releases of hazardous waste tar sludge and coal tar processing residues in its by-products processing area. EES has taken steps to comply with RCRA by improving its hazardous waste storage area inspection practices, cleaning up its by-products processing area, and by improving its housekeeping practices. EES has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $45,261 to resolve the alleged violations and has demonstrated that it is now in compliance with RCRA regulations.

Defendants (1)

• EES Coke Battery, LLCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• EES COKE BATTERY L.L.C. (P0408)

  1400 ZUG ISLAND RD, DETROIT, MI, 48209-2892

  Registry ID: 110070374301

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EES Coke Battery / DTE Energyentered 2017-01-25

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $45,261

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2017-01-25Final Order Issued
• 2017-01-25Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2017-01-27Enforcement Action Data Entered