EPA settles with Calif. firms over alleged Clean Water Act violations

The Environmental Protection Agency recently reached settlements with California’s Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc., and Cargill Corporation over alleged violations of federal pollution prevention regulations under the Clean Water Act, 

Safety-Kleen, based in Newark, California, was cited for allegedly not providing secondary containment around oil storage areas, failing to secure sensitive areas of its facility, not using safe containers and good engineering practices, and not developing a Facility Response Plan. All the alleged violations broke the Clean Water Act's Oil Spill Prevention Control and Contermeasure (SPCC) Rules. Safety-Kleen will pay a $90,000 fine as per the settlement.

Fullerton, California's Cargill Corporation allegedly did not update or recertify its SPCC plan, and did not have adequate oil containment and drainage control. It also allegedly did not ensure its secondary containment walls could handle a spill and did not remove oil accumulations throughout its facility. The company will pay a penalty of $45,000.

“All companies who store oil must comply with federal standards," Jared Blumenfeld, EPA regional administrator for the Pacific Southwest, said. "Facilities are required to prevent spills and be prepared to respond to a worst-case oil discharge emergency. Preventing spills and protecting our waterways from oil spills is essential.”

The EPA also noted four other settlements with smaller California companies – Antioch Building Materials, JC Greasebuyers, Gemsa Oil and SoCal Pumping – for alleged oil pollution prevention violations.