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EPA PROPOSES $129,000 PENALTY AGAINST VERMONT COMPANY FOR VIOLATIONS OF CHROMIUM LAW

Release Date: 10/19/1999
Contact Information: Amy Miller, EPA Press Office (617-918-1042)

BOSTON -- As part of a larger initiative to control hazardous pollutants released by the metal industry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a $128,807 penalty against a Springfield, Vt., company that allegedly failed to comply with federal chromium regulations. This enforcement action is among more than a dozen EPA-New England has taken this year against metal industry companies.

According to an administrative complaint filed recently at EPA-New England, Springfield Electroplating Company Inc., which does electroplating and metal finishing, failed to meet testing, monitoring, work practice and record-keeping requirements for its decorative chromium electroplating tanks.

EPA is currently negotiating with the company to settle the case. In negotiating the final penalty amount, EPA will consider the company's ability to pay the proposed penalties and corporate resources.

Chromium is a known carcinogen listed as a "hazardous air pollutant."

"Emissions of chromium can be a serious threat to public health and the environment," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "Companies like Springfield Electroplating that fail to follow the regulations regarding these hazardous pollutants will be penalized and directed to change their behavior."

The penalty against Springfield Electroplating stems from a June 1997 EPA inspection of the plant. The facility has since come into compliance with federal environmental regulations.

The complaint against Springfield is part of a larger effort by EPA that includes assisting companies that clean or finish metal and educating them on relevant environmental regulations.

"In both enforcement and technical assistance programs, EPA is focusing particular attention on the metal industry, which uses numerous hazardous pollutants regulated by federal environmental laws," said John P. DeVillars, EPA's New England Administrator. "Many companies in the metal industry are doing a good job, but there are still too many that are violating laws protecting air, water and land. Companies that fail to follow the regulations threaten the public health and the environment and can expect aggressive efforts from EPA to force them into compliance."

Much of the work with the metal industry is being done through EPA's Metal Finishing Strategic Goals Program, a three-year-old program that is encouraging metal finishers to meet aggressive pollution reduction goals by the year 2002. The national program was launched in partnership with industry groups, environmental groups and state and local regulators.

Companies that sign up for the program - so far two Vermont metal finishers have done so - receive compliance and pollution prevention assistance. And, as companies work toward meeting the goals, they'll be rewarded with more flexible regulatory oversight from EPA and state environmental regulators.

More information on federal regulations and how to prevent pollution is available by calling Linda Darveau in the Office of Assistance and Pollution Prevention at 1-617-918-1718.

EPA efforts to control pollution by the metal industry stems in part from regulations enacted in 1995 to regulate emissions of chromium and other toxic chemicals.