EPA v. KOPPERS INDUSTRIES (National Case)

Case summary

THIS IS A MULTI-MEDIA ACTION INVOLVING CWA, CAA, AND RCRA. THE VIOLATIONS INVOLVE PERMIT EXCEEDENCES, DISCHARGING W/OUT A PERMIT, AND VARIOUS REGULATORY VIOLATIONS. KOPPERS INDUSTRIES, INC., IS A CORPORATION; IT IS A COKE PLANT IN DOLOMITE, AL. THIS IS PRIMARILY A CASE FOR PENALTIES; THE PLANT IS VOLUNTARILY BEING CLOSED AND ONLY MINOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF MAY BE NECESSARY. THIS CASE WAS ORIGINALLY PART OF A NESS INVESTIGATION; A CITIZEN SUIT WAS FILED IN FEDERAL COURT AGAINST THE DEFENDANT SO THIS FACILITY WAS SEPARATED OUT AND REFERRED INDIVIDUALLY. STATUTES INVOLVED ARE: CAA, CWA, RCRA, AND OPA. THE CWA VIOLATIONS INCLUDE 671 EFFLUENT VIOLATIONS (INCLUDING EXCEEDENCES OF NH3-H, CYANIDE, PHENOLS, AND BENZO(A)PYRENE), 18 REPORTING VIOLATIONS, 42 NPDES PERMIT CONDITIONS VIOLATIONS, AND NUMEROUS NPDES STORMWATER VIOLATIONS, RESULTING IN A STATUTORY MAXIMUM PENALTY OF $19,800,000. THE CAA VIOLATIONS INCLUDE FAILURE TO OPERATE A GAS BLANKETING SYSTEM USED TO CONTROL BENZENE EMISSIONS AND NUMEROUS MONITORING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. THE RCRA VIOLATIONS INCLUDE FAILURE TO STORE USED OIL IN CONTAINERS AND TANKS THAT ARE IN GOOD CONDITION WITH NO SEVERE RUSTING, APPARENT STRUCTURAL DEFECTS OR DETERIORATION (40 CFR 279.22(B)(1); FAILURE TO STORE USED OIL IN CONTAINERS AND ABOVE-GROUND TANKS THAT ARE LABELED OR MARKED CLEARLY WITH THE WORDS USED OIL. (40 CFR 279.22(C)(1); FAILURE TO HAVE AN ARTIFICIAL OR NATURAL BARRIER (E.G. A FENCE IN GOOD REPAIR OR A FENCE COMBINED WITH A CLIFF) WHICH COMPLETELY SURROUNDS THE ACTIVE PORTION OF THE FACILITY (40 CFR 265.14(B)(2)(I); FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A FUNCTIONAL KEY OR COMBINATION LOCK ON THE WELLHEAD COVERS OF ALL MONITORING WELLS TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS (ADEM ADMIN. CODE 335-14-6-.06(2)(C). TO SECURE THE FACILITY (NO FENCE AROUND ACTIVE PART OF THE FACILITY AND ONE WELL WAS UNLOCKED). SECOND REFERRAL SENT REGARDING 6 REGION IV FACILITIES ON 4/7/99. SEE MATTER NUMBER 04-1999-0202. THAT REFERRAL WAS WRAPPED INTO THE ORIGINAL REFERRAL AND SETTLED WITH ONE CONSENT DECREE (04-2003-C001), ENTERED ON 4/7/03. THE CASE SUMMARY FOR THE 1999 MULTI-FACILITY REFERRAL FOLLOWS: NATIONAL REFERRAL. 23 FACILITIES TOTAL, SIX OF THEM IN REGION FOUR. NEARLY 1800 VIOLATIONS OF NPDES PERMITS AT 23 FACILITIES. AT THIS TIME, KII IS THE ONLY DEFENDANT. THEY ARE A LARGE PRIVATELY HELD CORPORATION ENGAGED IN WOOD PRESERVING, COAL TAR DISTILLING (CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING), AND COKE MAKING. INJUNCTIVE RELIEF MAY BE REQUESTED FOLLOWING DISCOVERY IN THE CASE. THIS CASE IS A HQ INITIATIVE -- IT IS PART OF THE NATIONAL ENFORCEMENT SCREENING STRATEGY (NESS).

Defendants (1)

• KOPPERS INDUSTRIESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• KOPPERS

  405 WEST 56TH AVENUE, DENVER, CO, 802161304

  Registry ID: 110012362013

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3004 — Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, and Disposal Standards
• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO
• CAA 112 — Hazardous Air Pollutants
• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• Koppers Industries (National Case)entered 2003-04-07

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $138,095

• KOPPERS INDUSTRIES (National Case)entered 2008-05-15

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $16,900

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 1998-06-10Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2003-01-15Complaint Filed With Court
• 2003-10-15Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2008-05-15Final Order Entered
• 2008-05-15Final Order Lodged