Foundry Agrees To Pay $1.4 Million In Penalties

Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. must pay the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection nearly $1.4 million in fines for air and water emissions infractions. The company is located in Phillipsburg, N.J.

The fines are the result of two settlements recently reached by the Phillipsburg, N.J.-based company and the DEP over what the state department says are Atlantic States' multiple violations of the New Jersey Air Pollution Control and Water Pollution Control acts.

Atlantic States admits no liability. Company officials classified the DEP's statements as "allegations."

"The steps we commit to today complement measures we've taken recently to improve compliance with our regulatory responsibilities," General Manager Mitchell Kidd said in a statement.

Between 1999 and 2002, the DEP said it issued 10 enforcement orders and assessed penalties to Atlantic States for exceeding air pollution limits for carbon monoxide, illegally installing and operating a paint spray operation without the proper permits, exceeding emissions standards and allowing emissions to bypass air pollution controls.

At its plant Atlantic States manufactures cast-iron pipes by processing recycled scrap metal through a furnace to produce molten iron. Once cast, the pipes are coated with paint.

As a result of this process, DEP officials said the facility emits carbon monoxide and other air contaminants that exceed limits.

Under the settlement, Atlantic States must pay the state a $1 million penalty. It will be paid in three installments ending in March.

Atlantic States also must reduce its emissions of volatile organic compounds by about 350 tons a year.

To meet the terms of the settlement, officials at Atlantic States said they'll continue to use a water-based paint to coat the pipes instead of the asphalt-based paint typically used in the process.

The company converted to the new paint in June, officials said.

Atlantic States also has applied to modify its DEP operating permit to reflect its current emission levels and will evaluate the type of controls needed to meet the air pollution emission limits that will be specified in the new permit.

In addition to air pollution violations, between 1997 and 2001, the DEP said Atlantic States also violated water pollution limits regulated by its DEP permit and failed to sample and analyze its stormwater discharge.

Atlantic States discharges into the Delaware River through Phillipsburg's sewer system.

To settle its water pollution violations, Atlantic States will pay the state another $381,648 plus interest to be paid in full by 2004.

Company officials said they also have designed and installed a state-of-the-art $2.1 million stormwater collection and reuse system that closed three of four outfall pipes discharging into the river.

Each McWane plant also is in the process of upgrading its programs to exceed regulatory requirements not only for environmental issues, but also health and safety, officials said. Express-Times