Navy settles environmental violations at Naval Station Norfolk

PHILADELPHIA ( May 6, 2015) - A settlement between the E.P.A. and U.S. Navy will help reduce potentially harmful discharges of ozone-depleting substances and ensure the safe storage and disposal of hazardous waste at the Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, where E.P.A. alleges environmental violations occurred.

Under the settlement, the Navy will pay an $83,900 penalty for violations of the Clean Air Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

The Clean Air Act violations pertained to regulations designed to reduce discharges of ozone-depleting substances used as coolants in air conditioning units. E.P.A. alleged that the facility did not perform leak rate calculations when it serviced the units. The Navy has implemented improved training and recordkeeping to help ensure proper servicing of equipment.

In addition, E.P.A. alleged that the facility violated emissions limits on an industrial device used for abrasive blasting and also had recordkeeping violations. The Navy has addressed both issues.

The RCRA violations pertained to regulations that require the safe, environmentally-sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The Navy took prompt action to address the hazardous waste violations, which will help ensure that those wastes are managed properly.

For more information on the Clean Air Act, http://www.epa.gov/air/caa/ . For more information on RCRA, see http://www2.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-resource-conservation-and-recovery-act .

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