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University of Virginia Agrees to Pay Nearly $34K for Environmental Violations

Release Date: 4/25/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Podems (215) 814-5540

Ruth Podems, 215-814-5540

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. - The University of Virginia has agreed to pay $33,990 in penalties to settle alleged violations of hazardous waste and oil spill prevention regulations.

In the hazardous waste matter, EPA cited the university for generating and storing hazardous waste without a permit as required under federal regulations. This violation involves hazardous wastes generated by several laboratories and stored for disposal at various collection centers around the campus. In a settlement this month, the university agreed to pay a $8,500 penalty for these violations, and to certify its compliance.

In a separate complaint, EPA alleged that the university failed to develop and keep on site an oil spill prevention plan for above-ground oil tanks with a combined capacity of 99,600 gallons. The tanks are located near storm drains that empty into the Rivanna River which feeds the James River. Under the terms of a January 2000 settlement, the university paid a $25,490 penalty for this violation, and submitted an oil spill prevention plan to EPA.

These enforcement actions resulted from inspections of the Charlottesville campus in June and September 1999. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality assisted EPA’s investigation of the alleged violations.

As part of the settlement, the university neither admitted nor denied liability for the alleged violations.



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