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Settlement Calls for Rhode Island Shipyard to Reduce Air Emissions

Release Date: 02/27/2013
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. – Feb. 27, 2013) – A Newport R.I. yacht repair facility will take steps to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from paints and thinners used at its facility, under the terms of a Clean Air Act settlement with EPA.

American Shipyard Co. LLC, doing business as Newport Shipyard, which repairs and paints vessels, will pay a $31,000 penalty and obtain a Clean Air Act permit from the State of Rhode Island that caps the facility’s emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and requires use of paints and other coatings that meet low-VOC standards. Newport Shipyard will also comply with applicable recordkeeping and certification requirements.

Newport Shipyard provides marine services including painting and other repair operations. Paint used by Newport Shipyard emitted excess levels of VOCs. These pollutants can cause human health problems and also contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone, a primary constituent of smog.

Newport is in an area that has failed to meet federal air quality standards for ozone. Under its permit, the company will use low-VOC solvents and paints that comply with regulatory limits for VOCs. In addition, the company will use paint spray guns with high transfer efficiencies, implement best work practices to minimize VOC emissions from painting and cleanup, and implement required recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

More information: Environmental issues with Marinas in New England (https://www.epa.gov/region1/marinas/index.html)

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