U.S. EPA Region 5 and Pixelle Specialty Solutions (Pixelle) have reached a settlement that resolves alleged violations of the Clean Air Act by requiring Pixelle to fully achieve, demonstrate, and maintain compliance with the Act at its facility located at 232 East 8th Street, in Chillicothe, Ohio and to pay a civil penalty.
On March 27, 2023, EPA issued a Notice and Finding of Violation (NOV/FOV) to Pixelle alleging that the company failed to meet the standard for removing HAP from condensate at its steam stripper, maintain a closed vent system for its pulp washer, take timely corrective actions to fix a leak at the pulp washer and properly document that leak, and operate and maintain equipment according to good air pollution control practices, in violation of NESHAP Subpart S; exceeded CO and opacity standards in violation of its Title V permit; and failed to operate monitoring equipment continuously, in violation of NSPS Subpart Db and its Title V permit.
EPA has now entered into an Administrative Consent Order (ACO) with Pixelle and filed a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) to resolve these alleged CAA violations. The ACO requires Pixelle to make operational changes at the steam stripper in order to meet the standard for HAP removal, establish parametric monitoring for the steam stripper, stop using condensate in an uncontrolled section of the pulp washer and monitor to ensure emissions do not enter this section. The CAFO requires Pixelle to pay a penalty of