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U.S. EPA fines Oxnard insulation manufacturer $152,245 for Clean Air Act Violations

Release Date: 8/26/2004
Contact Information: Wendy L. Chavez, (415) 947-4248

SAN FRANCISCO -- Diversified Panel Systems, Inc., an Oxnard, Calif. polystyrene construction material manufacturer, has agreed to pay $152,245 for Clean Air Act violations and ensure that emissions reduction equipment at its facility meets federal regulations.

The U.S. Department of Justice lodged the consent decree on behalf of the EPA and the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District, which begins a 30-day public comment period. Once final, the company will pay the fine and begin testing emissions reduction equipment installed as a result of a joint EPA and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District enforcement actions.

"Pentane is a volatile organic compound that causes smog and is extremely flammable," said Deborah Jordan, the EPA's Air Division director for the Pacific Southwest region. "Emissions from polystyrene manufacturing must be controlled, captured and reduced."

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District issued the temporary emissions permit that requires 90 percent capture and 95 percent destruction of emissions of volatile organic compounds, such as pentane.

The company failed to install the emissions control equipment necessary to achieve the standard prior to EPA and Ventura County Air Pollution Control District intervention. The final test required by the consent decree is expected to establish that the company now complies with the temporary operating permit and with Clean Air Act regulations, and should be completed by the end of the summer.

The EPA began investigating the company in March 2001. Following a review of company records, the agency issued a notice of violation letter in September 2001 stating that the company was out of compliance with new source review Clean Air Act requirements.