EPA v. SOLAR TURBINES, INC.

Case summary

SOLAR TURBINES OWNS AND OPERATES A FACILITY THAT MANUFACTURES COMPONENTS FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES. AS PART OF ITS OPERATION IN CONDUCTS METAL FINISHING OPERATIONS. IT DISCHARGES INDUSTRIAL PROCESS WASTEWATER FROM THIS FACILITY TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S POINT LOMA TREATMENT PLANT. SINCE FEBRUARY 15, 1986, ALL EXISITING METAL FINISHERS THAT DISCHARGE TO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH PRETREATMENT STANDARDS GOVERNING THE CHARACTER OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER. SOLAR TURBINES HAS VIOLATED NUMERICAL CONCENTRATION-BASED LIMITS GOVERNING ITS WASTEWATER QUALITY ON AT LEAST 471 OCCASINOS. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE SET OUT AT 40 C.F.R. 433.15. SOLAR TURBINES HAS VIOLATED A REGULATORY PROHIBITION AGAINST DILUTING ITS WASTESTREAM TO COMPLY WITH THESE NUMERICAL CONCENTRATION-BASED LIMITS. SOLAR TURBINES HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED TREATMENT EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD ENABLE IT TO COMPLY WITH EPA'S PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS. REGION 9 IS SEEKING A CONSENT DECREE THAT WILL ASSESS PENALTIES FOR SOLAR TURBINES' PAST VIOLATIONS, AND ENSURE THAT SOLAR TURBINES REMAINS IN COMPLIANCE WITH EPA'S PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS.

Defendants (1)

• SOLAR TURBINES, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SOLAR TURBINES INC

  2200 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

  Registry ID: 110000478741

• SOLAR TURBINES INC

  2200 PACIFIC HIGHWAY, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92101

  Registry ID: 110000478741

Statutes cited

• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO
• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SOLAR TURBINES, INC.entered 1992-09-28

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $250,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1991-05-09Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1991-09-23Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1992-09-28Final Order Lodged
• 1992-09-28Final Order Entered
• 1992-09-28Complaint Filed With Court
• 1992-09-28Concluded
• 1993-03-01Enforcement Action Closed