News Releases from Region 10
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in Juneau settles with EPA over hazardous waste storage violations
Statewide, Agency has accrued just over $500,000 in EPA penalties since 2013
Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities in Juneau settles with EPA over hazardous waste storage violations
Statewide, Agency has accrued just over $500,000 in EPA penalties since 2013
Contact Information: Mark MacIntyre, EPA Public Affairs, 206-553-7302, macintyre.mark@epa.gov
(Seattle—September 27, 2016 ) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities have reached a settlement that resolves violations of hazardous waste requirements under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The violations stem from alleged unpermitted storage of hazardous waste in Juneau, Alaska.
EPA alleges Alaska DOT&PF failed to properly identify hazardous waste and stored nearly 4,500 pounds of hazardous waste at their Juneau, Alaska, facility without a storage permit as required by federal law. The hazardous waste included corrosive liquids, solvents, and petroleum products stored in at least 40 containers. EPA also contends that Alaska DOT&PF failed to label used oil containers.
According to Kim Ogle, Manager of the RCRA Enforcement unit in EPA’s Office of Compliance & Enforcement in Seattle, Alaska DOT&PF has faced several other penalties in recent years, including another hazardous waste case in 2014 and two Safe Drinking Water Act cases in 2013.
"Whether its hazardous waste or drinking water laws, state agencies must be held to the same standards and play by the same rules as all other regulated entities, “Ogle said. “By complying with fundamental environmental laws that safeguard people’s health and protect the environment, DOT can avoid penalties and direct funds where they are needed most.”
Under terms of this settlement, Alaska DOT&PF will pay $118,100 penalties and agreed to comply with hazardous waste requirements under RCRA. Including the current Juneau case, Alaska DOT&PF has paid $501,000 in EPA penalties since 2013. In the wake of this action, Alaska DOT&PF has also spent $37,350 to make hazardous waste determinations and clean up the waste stored onsite. They also shipped almost 4,500 lbs. of hazardous waste and 2,775 lbs. of solid waste offsite.
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For more information on EPA hazardous waste laws, visit: https://www.epa.gov/rcra