[StBernard] EPA announces settlement with Louisiana plastics manufacturer

[Westley Annis]

Shintech Louisiana LLC agrees to $426,530 civil penalty for
environmental violations

(Dallas, Texas – April 26, 2007)  The Environmental Protection Agency
announced today that Shintech Louisiana LLC has agreed to a $426,530
penalty to resolve environmental violations at two of its plants in
Addis, Louisiana.

The violations stem from EPA inspections of the company’s polyvinyl
chloride manufacturing plants in 2004 and 2005, which revealed improper
handling of hazardous waste.  Shintech has since corrected the
infractions and met reporting requirements set by EPA and the State of
Louisiana.

“Business and industry play a large part in our ability to protect human
health and the environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Richard E.
Greene.  “We are pleased that Shintech has taken responsibility for its
environmental actions and corrected its processes.  EPA will continue
working with our state and federal partners to ensure diligent
enforcement of our environmental laws.”

The complaint against Shintech, filed on behalf of EPA by the U.S.
Department of Justice, states that the company violated the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act by failing to identify hazardous waste,
keep records of its hazardous waste, and obtain the required approval to
manage and store hazardous waste.  Shintech corrected these violations
by shipping all hazardous waste identified during the inspections to
approved treatment, storage and disposal facilities.

Shintech also violated the Clean Air Act through failures in reporting,
record keeping, inspecting and conducting audits and/or submitting
certifications.

Finally, from 2000 to 2002, Shintech violated the Emergency Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act by failing to submit required toxic chemical
release reporting forms.  These documents have since been submitted by
the company.

The complaint and agreement for the Shintech violations were filed in
the Middle District of Louisiana, Baton Rouge Division.

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6, please visit
http://www.epa.gov/region6/.