U.S. EPA announced that Tenaris Global Services, (USA) Corp., agreed to pay $717,324 in civil penalties to settle EPCRA violations at seven of its facilities for failing to timely report its use of toxic chemicals.  Tenaris, a manufacturer and supplier of steel pipe products for the oil and energy industry, failed to report quantities of lead, manganese, nickel, nitrate compounds, xylene, chromium, nitric acid, glycol ethers, and zinc compounds used at its facilities during 2005 through 2008. 

The Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA, also known as Title III, Superfund Amendments & Reauthorization Act of 1986), 42 U.S.C. § 11000 et seq., requires the submission of annual toxic chemical reports to U.S. EPA and state authorities listing the amounts of regulated chemicals that are manufactured, processed, or otherwise used at the facility.  As U.S. EPA stated, the reports provide an important source of information to emergency planners and responders, and residents of surrounding communities. 

These issues often arise when businesses acquire new production facilities and make environmental audits and self-disclosures critical to avoid or limit such penalties. 

For more information, please contact Bill Wagner or any member of Taft's Environmental Practice Group.