All News Releases By Date

Howmet Corp. settles alleged Hazardous Waste Violations at Hampton, Va. Plant

Release Date: 8/16/2002
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

Roy Seneca, 215-814-5567

PHILADELPHIA – Howmet Corp. will pay a $193,000 penalty to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste regulations at the company’s plant in Hampton, Va., which manufactures castings for gas turbine engines, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.

According to EPA, Howmet violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment by requiring the safe, environmentally sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste.

The settlement resolves several alleged violations of federal and state regualtions discovered in an April 2000 inspection by EPA and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. These violations include operating a hazardous waste storage facility without a permit; failing to perform or document inspections on caustic waste tanks; failing to minimize the potential for release of waste potassium hydroxide; failing to document the repair of waste potassium hydroxide tanks; and improper storage and disposal of waste lamps containing mercury or lead.

As part of the settlement, the company has neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations, but has certified its compliance with applicable RCRA requirements.