EPA inspected B&W, a foundry, on May 25, 2011. During the night-portion of the inspection, EPA observed visible emissions emanating from the broken duct leading to the baghouse serving an electric arc furnace (EAF), as well as visible emissions leaving the stack (vent) exiting the baghouse serving the EAF. On August 30, 2011, EPA issued an NOV to B&W. The NOV alleged B&W failed to maintain the capture and control system associated with its EAF. B&W returned to compliance on June 8, 2011, when it completed maintenance on the fan and associated baghouse.
As part of the settlement, and because B&W operates its main emission units (two EAFs) at night, B&W has agreed to install a bag leak detection system, an environmentally beneficial activity.