Settlement reached between OEPA, Warren Township recycling company

WARREN — A Pittsburgh-based company that recycles hydrochloric acid used in the steelmaking process at the former WCI Steel mill in Warren Township has settled a complaint with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency by agreeing to pay permit fees of $8,000 and a civil penalty of $70,000.

Re-Gen Inc., which runs an idled production facility at 1040 Pine Avenue S.E., agreed last month in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to pay the fees and penalty to settle a suit brought against the company by the Ohio Attorney General’s office.

The Ohio EPA said in 2007 that International Steel Services Inc., which runs Re-Gen, failed to obtain the proper type of air pollution permit from 1999 to 2006 and failed to pay appropriate permit fees.

The consent order signed by Judge W. Wyatt McKay of common pleas court says the company will pay the $70,000 in two stages: $30,000 by the middle of this month and the other $30,000 within one year.

The order also says the company will apply for the necessary permit within 60 days of reopening and pay emission fees dating back to 1999 of $8,000.

For the complete story, see Friday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com