3/2015-In a settlement with the U.S. and the states of AL and OK, Continental Carbon Co. has agreed to install pollution control technology that will significantly cut emissions of harmful air pollutants at manufacturing facilities in AL, OK and TX, EPA and DOJ announced today. The settlement will resolve claims that Houston-based Continental violated the CAA by modifying their facilities in a way that caused the release of excess SO2 and NOx.
The settlement requires Continental to pay a civil penalty of $650,000, which will be shared with AL and OK, co-plaintiffs in the case. Continental must also spend $550,000 on environmental projects to help mitigate the harmful effects of air pollution on the environment and to benefit local communities, including at least $25,000 on energy efficiency projects in the communities near each of the three facilities.
?This settlement brings another major carbon black company into compliance with a law that protects clean air for American communities,? said Cynthia Giles, asst administrator for EPA?s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. ?By investigating all 15 carbon black manufacturing plants in the U.S., EPA is committed to improving public health and leveling the playing field for companies that follow the law. By installing the latest pollution control technology and funding environmental projects, Continental is taking steps to reduce emissions of air pollutants that can lead to serious health problems.?
?Today?s agreemen