Metal Shredding Companies Agree to Pay Penalty in Settlement of EPA Violations

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Owego, New York metal shredding companies have reached settlement agreement with the U.S. Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Justice over alleged violation of Clean Air Act.

As per settlement, Upstate Shredding, LLC and Weitsman Shredding, LLC will have to pay a penalty of $40,000. In addition, they will install new pollution control equipment to reduce emission of harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the surrounding air. The installation of new equipment is expected to prevent release of approximately 70 tons of VOCs into the air. In addition, the equipment will also significantly reduce ground-level ozone formation.

The shredding companies have allegedly failed to install pollution controls on their metal shredding facility, thus leading to excess emission of VOCs. It was also revealed that they operated without necessary federal and state air permits.

The proposed consent decree has been lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York.

Lisa F. Garcia, Regional EPA Administrator noted that the proposed settlement will ensure that the company secure proper pollution control equipment at the shredding facility, thus meeting prescribed environmental requirements.