I usually do not waste time posting the Expedited Settlement Agreements, as these cases are typically minor record-keeping violations with low-dollar amount citations. However, one thing that irks me is how public utilities receive lenient treatment regarding the amount they pay for violating the EPA’s RMP regulations. And to make matters worse, they dare to state that this is in the public interest. This plant was using Cl2, and its Cl2 room ventilation discharged onto a public sidewalk. They didn’t even have their NFPA 704 labels correct! They were not managing the use of their overhead crane properly. Had these issues been found at a private business, this could have resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in citations.
The Borough of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, uses Chlorine at a facility known as the “Region Water Pollution Control Facility”. On January 24, 2024, a representative of EPA conducted an inspection of the Respondent’s facility to determine compliance with Section 112(r) of the Act and the Risk Management Program (“RMP”) regulations promulgated at 40 C.F.R. Part 68, and observed that during the violation period set forth in the ESA. The Respondent was handling more than 2,500 pounds of chlorine at the Facility.
Based on the EPA’s inspection and subsequent investigation, the Complainant has identified the following violations of the RMP regulations: