EPA: Oil Company Violates Environmental Laws by Underestimating Hazardous Waste Generation

DALLAS – (March 23, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a consent agreement and final order to Pinnacle Oilfield Services, Inc., in Broussard, La. The company violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) related to the storage and handling of hazardous waste. The company will pay a $146,585 civil penalty and is required to take steps to protect the local community from health and environmental risks associated with hazardous waste.

Pinnacle was a facility that reported to produce less than 100 kilograms a month, since 1994. However, during the past five years, the facility violated federal environmental laws by generating over 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month.

RCRA is the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. RCRA is designed to protect public health and the environment, and avoid costly cleanups, by requiring the safe, environmentally-sound storage and disposal of hazardous waste. The RCRA requirements mandate the use of safe practices which greatly reduce the chance that hazardous waste will be released into the environment.

20th May 2015 US EPA

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