EPA entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) resolving the matter of The Hillshire Brands Company (Hillshire) in Traverse City, Michigan. Hillshire, at its Traverse City facility, violated the Michigan State Implementation Plan. Specifically, Hillshire failed to obtain and operate pursuant to a permit to install.
Region 5 issued a Notice and Finding of Violation (NOV/FOV) to Hillshire on May 6, 2014. Hillshire met with Region 5 by conference call to discuss the allegations on June 10, 2014. Subsequent discussions with Hillshire resulted in an October 22, 2014, Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with Hillshire, requiring Hillshire to submit to the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) a complete and accurate air permit application and submit a copy of that application to EPA. Hillshire submitted an air permit application to MDEQ and EPA on November 21, 2014, and additional information requested by MDEQ to MDEQ and EPA on December 16, 2014. Upon review of the December 16 submittal, MDEQ deemed the permit application to be complete and accurate. This brings Hillshire into compliance with the ACO and resolves the violation alleged in the NOV/FOV.
This CAFO requires Hillshire to pay a cash penalty of $67,982, in consideration of Hillshire?s prompt resolution of the alleged violation. Hillshire declined to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project.