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EPA Cites Owner of Birdsboro, Pa., Landfill for Clean Air Act Violations

Release Date: 8/19/2002
Contact Information: Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

Donna Heron, 215-814-5113

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has cited the owner and operator of the Pioneer Crossing Landfill for Clean Air Act violations at the Birdsboro, Pa. facility.

In a complaint issued to F.R. & S., Inc., EPA alleges violations of federal regulations designed to reduce air pollution from municipal solid waste landfills. The decomposition of landfill waste produces methane gas, which contributes to global climate change and may create fire and explosion hazards; volatile organic compounds, which contribute to ozone (smog) pollution; and other hazardous air pollutants.

According to the complaint, an inspection by EPA and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) on April 10-11, 2002 revealed that the company failed to conduct adequate air pollution monitoring, and unlawfully vented landfill gases above allowable limits directly into the atmosphere. A followup DEP inspection on May 13, 2002 revealed that the company had not taken corrective action to prevent the methane gas exceedances, and thus violated limits on methane gas emissions. Further evidence-gathering by EPA revealed that the company had not been calibrating its monitoring equipment as required.

EPA seeks a $71,500 penalty for these alleged violations. The company has the right to request a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalty.