Company OKs reducing hazardous air emissions
The settlement is subject to a public comment period and approval by the court.
DAYTON (AP) — A company that recycles used oil has agreed to reduce hazardous air emissions and pay a civil fine of $360,000 under a settlement Friday with federal environmental regulators and the Justice Department.
Under the settlement filed in U.S. District Court resolving alleged violations of the Clean Air Act, Perma-Fix of Dayton Inc. also agreed to spend $562,000 to complete environmental projects.
“The environmental projects that Perma-Fix has agreed to complete will ultimately benefit the local community by reducing hazardous air emissions that can cause health problems and damage the environment,” said Ronald Tenpas, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
The agreement requires the use of a thermal oxidizer to destroy emissions from storage tanks, biological treatment tanks and truck-loading operations. It also calls for a reduction of emissions from exhaust vents at the company’s plant.
Perma-Fix spokeswoman Kim Lahman said the company looks forward to working with the community and its customers.
The Justice Department filed the federal court motion in May 2006 on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, joining a citizens’ lawsuit filed against Perma-Fix in December 2004.
Friday’s settlement is subject to a 30-day public comment period and approval by the court.
Neighbors of the plant have complained for years that they suffer from nausea, dizziness, headaches and breathing problems as a result of odors from Perma-Fix.
Perma-Fix officials had argued that the company didn’t release enough hazardous air pollutants to require a special permit that would hold it to the standards of the Clean Air Act.
Perma-Fix recycles up to 3 million gallons of oil annually at the 18-acre site. It also treats and recycles up to 18 million gallons of wastewater. About 40 workers are employed there.