On January 22, 2025, Region 3 entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order with Vorteq Coil Finishers, LLC ( Vorteq ) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, to settle alleged violations of RCRA Subtitle C hazardous waste requirements. The alleged violations were discovered through a May 24, 2023, inspection and follow-up information submittals by Vorteq to the EPA. The privately-owned coil coater of cold rolled steel, galvanized steel and aluminum which is used in the production of street signs, downspouts and metal roofs, is located at 2233 26th Street, Allentown, Pennsylvania 18103 ( the Facility ). The corporate headquarters is located in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. The violations occurred from at least March 2, 2020 to May 24, 2023. Vorteq will pay a $174,829 civil penalty.
The violations in the settlement include: operation without a permit; failure to make a waste determination; failure to maintain and operate a facility to minimize the possibility of a fire, explosion, or any unplanned sudden or non-sudden release of hazardous waste constituents failure to the air, soil or surface water which could threaten human health or the environment; failure to keep a hazardous waste container closed; failure to maintain aisle space between stored containers of hazardous waste; failure to conduct weekly inspections of hazardous waste storage areas, among other alleged violations.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was notified of this action and has not raised any objections.