The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (“ADEQ”) and Covington Enterprises, Inc. (“CEI”) entered into a Consent Administrative Order (“CAO”) to address alleged air violations. See LIS No. 16-027.
The CAO provides that CEI owns and operates an asphalt plant in Springdale, Arkansas.
CEI is stated to have been provided coverage under ADEQ’s Minor Source General Air Permit for Hot Mix Asphalt Plants 1912-AGP-000 (“Permit”) on November 1, 2011.
ADEQ is stated to have conducted an inspection on May 12, 2015 and observed that CEI had unpermitted 800 kW generator and associated 1200bhp stationary compression combustion engine. It is alleged that the presence of this equipment was identified in a previous inspection and their presence violates General Condition 16 of the Permit.
ADEQ allegedly informed CEI of the previously referenced issues after both the 2014 and 2015 inspections.
The CAO describes CEI’s response to ADEQ in regards to the alleged compliance issue stating:
In correspondence dated January 6, 2016, Respondent stated that Respondent submitted a letter dated September 19, 2014, stating that the 800kw generator and associated 1200bhp stationary compression engine would be placed in a trailer to make it a portable unit. However, on May 12, 2015 observations made by the ADEQ Inspector revealed Respondent failed to make the sources a portable unit. In addition, Respondent stated that Respondent submitted a letter dated June 17, 2015 to ADEQ personnel, stating that Respondent submitted an application to Ozark Electric Cooperative to convert to 100% commercial power.
CEI is stated to have committed to closing the facility until the commercial power conversion is completed. The company requested the $3,200 civil penalty be eliminated. Further, as of March 1, 2016 CEI is stated to have converted to 100% commercial power supplied by Ozark Electric Cooperative.
The CAO assesses CEI a civil penalty of $2,400.
Click here to download a copy of the CAO.
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