9/3/13 - CONSENT AGMT AND FINAL ORDER ISSUED. TCOM IS THE CURRENT OWNER AND OPERATOR OF A FORMER U.S. NAVY BLIMP HANGAR LOCATED IN ELIZABETH CITY, NC, WHERE IT MANUFACTURES, TESTS AND REPAIRS LIGHTER THAN AIR BALLOON PRODUCTS, INCLUDING AEROSTAT SYSTEMS THAT ARE PRINCIPALLY BUT NOT SOLELY USED IN MILITARY APPLICATIONS. RESPONDENT IS THE MAJOR SUPPLIER OF THIS LIGHTER THAN AIR (LTA) TECHNOLOGY TO THE US DOD, ITS ALLIES AND OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.
EPA DETERMINED THAT A CIVIL PENALTY OF $187,000 IS ASSESSED AGAINST RESPONDENT. EPA AGREES TO REMIT THE ENTIRE CIVIL PENALTY CONDITIONED UPON RESPONDENT'S COMPLIANCE WITH ALL THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN THIS CONSENT AGREEMENT TO EPA'S SATISFACTION. REMISSION IS GRANTED, AMONG OTHER REASON, ON THE BASIS OF THE COOPERATION OF RESPONDENT IN IDENTIFYING, REPORTING, PROACTIVELY INVESTIGATING AND SEEKING REMEDIAL SOLUTIONS TO THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS, WHICH WERE PREVIOUSLY UNKNOWN TO RESPONDENT, AND THE ANTICIPATION OF CONTINUED FULL COOPERATION WITH EPA IN THE EXECUTION OF THIS CAFO.