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Johnson Controls Battery Group Cited for Hazardous Waste Violations at Middletown Plant

Release Date: 10/5/2000
Contact Information: Ruth Wuenschel, (215) 814-5540

Ruth Wuenschel, 215-814-5540

MIDDLETOWN, Del. – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Johnson Controls Battery Group for violating federal hazardous waste laws at its automobile battery manufacturing plant here.

EPA’s complaint proposes a $22,297 penalty for the company’s alleged violations of the federal law governing the treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste. The law is designed to prevent costly cleanups of waste sites by requiring the safe, environmentally sound disposal of hazardous materials.

According to the complaint, a joint inspection by the EPA and the Delaware Department of Natural Resources in August 1999 revealed violations including 1) failure to obtain a storage permit; 2) improper storage of hazardous materials such as lead, hydrobromic acid, and spent mercury-containing fluorescent lamps; and 3) inadequate aisle space for access by emergency response personnel.

Based on a subsequent inspection and information provided later by the company, the violations alleged in the complaint were corrected during or after the inspection. In addition, an order issued with the complaint requires the company to comply with hazardous waste regulations in the future.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and the proposed penalty.