Metalworking Lubricants reaches settlement for Indy violations
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management have reached a settlement with Michigan-based Metalworking Lubricants Co. The company has agreed to pay a total of $310,000 in penalties for alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its used oil processing facility in Indianapolis.
The agencies allege Metalworking Lubricants has emitted more than 25 tons of hazardous air pollutants such as naphthalene, ethylbenzene, xylene, phenol, and toluene per year, which is a violation of its existing permit.
The company also allegedly failed to operate its scrubber at specific times when its oil-processing tanks were in operation, failed to respond when the scrubber malfunctioned, failed to keep required records, and underestimated the amount of hazardous air pollutants in incoming oil, which affected its emissions.
The company also allegedly failed to apply for a major source operating permit.
The penalties include $155,000 to the federal government and $155,000 to the state. As part of the settlement, Metalworking Lubricants must install a carbon absorption system to control emissions and meet certain testing, monitoring and recordkeeping requirements.
The company must also comply with a revised permit to keep its emissions below 25 tons per year.
“This is good news for central Indiana, and the improvements required by this consent decree will result in cleaner air for the community,” IDEM Commissioner Brian Rockensuess said in written remarks. “Through our partnership with EPA, we were able to resolve these outstanding Clean Air Act violations.”
The terms of the settlement are part of a proposed consent decree, which requires final court approval.
You can view the full consent decree by clicking here.