Maine Community
College System Faces Fines for Hazardous Waste Violations
For Immediate Release: October 13, 2004
Contact: David Deegan, 617-918-1017; Release # 04-10-14
BOSTON – The Maine Community College System is facing fines
of more than $200,000, stemming from violations in the storage
and handling of hazardous materials at two campuses. The fines
are being sought by EPA, and are contained in an administrative
complaint and a compliance order issued recently by the Agency.
The two campuses where EPA identified violations were at Southern
Maine Technical College, in Portland, and at Eastern Maine Community
College, in Bangor. EPA is seeking a total fine of $238,225 from
the Maine Community College System for the violations.
The violations were identified in May, 2003 during compliance
evaluation inspections conducted by EPA regional staff. EPA’s
inspectors identified multiple violations of the federal Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and Maine Hazardous Waste
Management Rules, which govern the safe storage and handling of
hazardous wastes.
The most significant concern identified by EPA was the storage
of several containers of waste picric acid at Eastern Maine Community
College. Inspectors found these containers near a teaching classroom,
accessible to faculty and students. The waste picric acid had formed
crystals, making the material unstable and highly explosive. EPA
inspectors secured the area and contacted Maine’s Department
of Environmental Protection’s Emergency Response Unit. A
specialized company operated by a former member of the Maine State
Police Bomb Squad Unit was contacted and safely detonated these
chemicals on-site.
“It is very important that all facilities, including colleges
and universities, that use or generate hazardous materials comply
with the law,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator
of EPA’s New England regional office. “Carefully adhering
to the correct storage and disposal procedures helps ensure that
people and property are not harmed due to inadvertent exposure
to dangerous substances.”
More than 5,000 students and faculty use the two campuses.
EPA’s order requires the Maine Community College System
to comply with RCRA regulations and to correct all violations cited
in the complaint. Also, they will be required to submit documentation
to the Agency demonstrating compliance.
METADATA
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TITLE: Maine Community College
System Faces Fines for Hazardous Waste Violations
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ABSTRACT:BOSTON – The
Maine Community College System is facing fines of more than
$200,000, stemming from violations in the storage and handling
of hazardous materials at two campuses. The fines are being
sought by EPA, and are contained in an administrative complaint
and a compliance order issued recently by the Agency.
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PURPOSE: Public Information
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ORIGINATOR: Regional Administrator's
Office
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PUBLICATION DATE: 10/13/04
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ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: N/A
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AVAILABILITY: N/A
a. Distributor:
b. Order Process:
c. Technical Prerequisites:
d. Automated Linkage:
e. Downloadable Files:
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COVERAGE: N/A
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TIME PERIOD OF COVERAGE: N/A
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POINT OF CONTACT FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION:
David Deegan
Office of the Regional Administrator
EPA New England
1 Congress Street, Suite 1100 (RAA)
Boston, MA 02114-2023
(617) 918-1017
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RESPONSIBLE PARTY:
David Deegan, EPA Press Office, (617) 918-1017
Office of the Regional Administrator
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DATE OF CREATION: 10/13/04
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AGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
N/A
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EXPIRATION DATE: 11/13/04
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