The EPA fined the company $330,112 for violating reporting requirements at its production plant in Gales Ferry, Connecticut that may have resulted in excess emissions.
Inadequate reporting
Dow had failed to keep records of required equipment inspections and monitoring results including records of thermal oxidizer temperatures.
The chemical specialist had also failed to repair leaking valves and had not conducted leak repair verification tests on its refrigeration equipment.
These points translate into violations of the federal Clean Air Act and therefore prompted the EPA to land a hefty fine at the front door of Dow Chemical. The company has since corrected the violations.
'Excessive' fine
Dow Chemical spokesperson Rosemarie Rung labeled the fine ‘excessive’ and said the company was very disappointed.
Rung emphasized that the complaints from the EPA were related to recording requirements and not emission levels.
Nevertheless with environmental issues entering center stage, the fine from the EPA is a blow to Dow Chemical’s corporate image.