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Sacramento Air Quality District Announces $26,340 Penalty Settlement with Geofon, Inc.

April 16, 2008

Geofon, Inc. has paid $26,340 in penalties to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District for an air quality violation, which occurred at its soil vapor extraction project site located at 4400 Raley Boulevard in August 2006. 

“Business must comply with air quality regulations,” said AQMD’s Executive Officer Larry Greene.  “The District’s enforcement efforts add up to cleaner air for Sacramento residents.”

The penalty is part of a settlement between the District and Geofon to resolve violations of District regulations.  The District cited the discharge of benzene and reactive organic compounds in excess of the permits to operate.  Notices of Violation (NOVs) were issued on August 3, 2006 for Rule 201, General Permit Requirements.

Geofon, Inc. is an environmental engineering firm that provides technical services in remediation, civil construction and regulatory compliance for federal, local government and commercial clients.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

Sacramento Air Quality District Reaches Settlement with LVI Environmental Services for $20,280

April 16, 2008

LVI Environmental Services has paid $20,280 in penalties to the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District for air quality violations that occurred at its project site in downtown Sacramento in December 2006. 

“The removal of asbestos is a hazard process with very strict guidelines that must not be neglected,” said AQMD’s Executive Officer Larry Greene.  “If asbestos becomes airborne it poses serious health threats to the residents surrounding the project.”

The District cited several violations including failure to maintain adequate negative air during the removal of asbestos containing materials from three separate containments and failure to failure to properly notify and revise the work dates for the asbestos removal.  The Notices of Violation were issued in December of 2006 and January of 2007 for District Rule 902, Asbestos.   

LVI Environmental Services specializes in environmental remediation and facility services.   

Air District Collects $10,800 in Penalties from Sacramento Suburban Water District

March 4, 2008

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District announced today that the Sacramento Suburban Water District has paid $10,800 in penalties to settle air quality permit violations that occurred in June of 2006. 

“Failure to adhere to the conditions of an issued operating permit is a serious air quality violation,” said AQMD’s Executive Officer Larry Greene.  “The District is pleased to resolve these violations and continues to protect the health of our residents and the air we breathe”.
 
The penalty issued by the AQMD to the Sacramento Suburban Water District resolves a series of violations issued by the District on June 13, 2006 for operating a diesel-fueled engine during school hours at two public elementary schools in North Highlands, CA.  SSWD’s actions violated both its permit and District Rule 201, General Permit Requirements.

SSWD is a publicly owned and operated water utility regulated by the State of California Department of Health Services and State Water Code laws.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.

Sacramento Air Quality District Collects $79,200 Penalty Settlement with eBay Inc.

January 7, 2008

The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District announced today that eBay Inc. has paid $79,200 in penalties to settle an air quality permit violation that occurred in 2007. 

“Our agency is deemed with the task of enforcing air quality laws to protect public health and the environment”, said AQMD’s Executive Officer Larry Greene.
“Bad air is bad for business and discharging harmful pollutants over several days carries a big fine when compromising the air quality and the health of our residents”.

The penalty is part of a settlement between AQMD and eBay to resolve a Notice of Violation (NOV) issued by the District on August 21, 2007 for Rule 201, General Permit Requirements.

Ebay’s data center facility in Rancho Cordova operated three standby generators for several days for purposes other than maintenance or emergency use, resulting in a discharge of emissions such as NOx and Diesel PM in excess of the limits allowed by their permits to operate.

Ebay provides an array of Web sites that focus on commerce, payments and communications.

The penalty was reached through AQMD’s Mutual Settlement Program, a voluntary program designed to resolve violations without the time and expense of litigation. Settlement funds will be used to help support the District’s mission of improving air quality in the Sacramento region.