New Building for Hazardous Waste Storage

The Kenai Peninsula Borough has recently agreed to begin construction on storage for hazardous waste following violations of federal waste management rules at its maintenance facility in Soldotna, Alaska, according to a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Proper hazardous waste management prevents costly, dangerous spills and keeps communities safe,” said Scott Downey, Manager of the Hazardous Waste Compliance Unit in EPA’s Seattle office. “We’re glad that the shop will soon have a building where it can manage hazardous waste more effectively.”

In 2009, EPA inspected the site identifying numerous hazardous waste violations. Violations included failing to determine whether waste was hazardous, failing to label containers of hazardous waste and used oil waste. The substances included paint thinners, kerosene and a mix of solvent and anti-freeze. The improperly labeled containers ranged in size from two-gallon containers to a 300-gallon tank.

The borough offered to construct the building to store hazardous waste as a way to mitigate the penalty EPA sought to address the violations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Under the settlement, the borough will construct and operate the building and pay a penalty of nearly $12,800.