EPA Announces Settlement with Bakelite Chemicals of Conway, North Carolina, for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations
RALEIGH, NC (September 27, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has reached a settlement with Bakelite Chemicals, LLC of Conway, North Carolina, to resolve alleged violations of federal and state laws governing the handling and storage of hazardous waste at its chemical manufacturing facility in North Carolina.
In March 2023, representatives of the EPA conducted a compliance evaluation inspection at the facility under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The EPA was accompanied by inspectors from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ). At the time of the inspection, the EPA observed several potential violations of state and federal hazardous waste laws relating to the company’s management of hazardous waste in containers and tanks.
“The proper management of hazardous waste is critical to the health of workers, to neighbors, and to the environment,” said Keriema Newman, Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division of the EPA’s Southeast Region. “Hazardous waste generators are responsible for ensuring that they comply with applicable state and federal requirements for the wastes that they generate.”
Pursuant to the settlement, Bakelite has agreed to pay a civil penalty of $130,000 and has certified that it has corrected any alleged noncompliance.
A copy of the Consent Agreement and Final Order can be found here: Bakelite Consent Agreement and Final Order
Learn more about EPA’s hazardous waste program here.
###