MLGW to Pay $1.2 Million Fine for PCB Violations
Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division (MLGW) will pay a $1,220,576 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and conduct a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP), EPA announced. The penalty is the highest in an EPA TSCA PCB enforcement action that includes a SEP.
The alleged violations included improper PCB disposal, storage, marking, recordkeeping and marketing at several of MLGW’s facilities. The alleged violations were discovered during inspections conducted by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), EPA's authorized representative, at MLGW's Central Shops and Substations 1, 3 and 4 to determine compliance with the TSCA PCB regulations. Based on the findings of TDEC’s inspections, EPA determined that violations of TSCA PCB regulations had occurred.
Under the SEP, MLGW will conduct a Voluntary Accelerated PCB Removal Program that within three years will significantly reduce the number of transformers, capacitors, and oils that contain regulated quantities of PCBs. The SEP is part of MLGW’s long-term 10-year effort to remove from service all PCB equipment that contains regulated amounts of PCBs. Both the short-term and long-term efforts will result in an overall reduction of PCBs in use and decrease the risk for potential adverse environmental and health impacts associated with PCB exposure. Upon completion of the SEP, it is estimated that approximately 1,216,000 pounds of PCBs will be removed from the environment. A SEP is an environmentally beneficial project that a violator voluntarily agrees to undertake in settlement; it must be a project that a violator will not otherwise be required to perform.