The United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5, has cited Mercury Marine for alleged clean-air violations at the company's aluminum recovery plant in Fond du Lac, Wis.
EPA alleges that Mercury Marine failed to comply with federal operating, planning, notification, reporting, testing and recordkeeping requirements for its plant. EPA said the company should have tested for dioxin and furan emissions.
"EPA's mission is to protect public health and the environment," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We will take whatever steps are needed to ensure compliance with the Clean Air Act."
These are preliminary findings of violations. To resolve them, EPA may issue a compliance order, assess an administrative penalty or bring suit against the company. The company has 30 days from receipt of the notice to meet with EPA to discuss resolving the allegations.
The regional EPA office also announced that it has reached an agreement with Miller Compressing on alleged clean-air violations at the company's aluminum recovery plant in Milwaukee. EPA assessed an $18,000 penalty, and the company agreed to complete a $70,000 environmental project.
"Miller Compressing has agreed to protect the health of its neighbors in Milwaukee by paving almost 38,000 square feet at its plant to cut dust emissions by 8,575 pounds a year," said Acting Regional Administrator Bharat Mathur. "We are pleased because this project does more than the law requires."