Oregon DEQ Fines Recycler for Excess Emissions

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued $8,700 in penalties to American Recyclers LLC for burning used fuel oil in its boilers that exceeded the limit for sulfur set in the company’s air permit and for failing to analyze samples of the fuel oil prior to burning. The violations occurred at the company’s used oil processing facility in Portland, Ore.

American Recyclers operates two boilers at the facility and holds an air quality permit that sets limitations and conditions for the types of oil that can be burned in the boilers. The company is required to test all fuel oil for sulfur prior to burning and cannot exceed a specific limit.

During a review of the American Recycler’s 2011 semi-annual report to DEQ, inspectors noted that the company had collected samples of fuel oil intended for use in the boilers but failed to have the oil analyzed to determine the sulfur content prior to burning. Samples taken later indicated the fuel oil contained more sulfur than allowed.
American Recyclers LLC was to have until Feb. 4 to appeal the penalty.