Millersburg foundry, Brooks incinerator among DEQ fines in June

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality levied eight fines in June, totaling $154,381.

Among those fined were a Millersburg metal casting company mishandling hazardous waste, a wireless phone company violating air pollution regulations, and the Reworld Marion garbage incinerator in Brooks, which exceeded permitted air pollution limits.

Recipients can appeal their fines by requesting a hearing within 20 days of receiving their penalty letter. DEQ sometimes reduces or eliminates fines after appeals.

Recipients also may be able to resolve part of their penalty by completing or sponsoring an environmental improvement project instead of paying a fine.

Here are the citations:

Ti Squared Technologies , Millersburg, $57,348: For multiple hazardous waste violations, including failing to determine whether wastes generated were hazardous, failing to provide proper notice to the facility where it shipped hazardous waste and failing to comply with hazardous waste storage tank design and installation requirements at its industrial titanium casting foundry. DEQ also cited, but didn’t fine, the company for violations related to hazardous waste storage tanks, secondary containment, universal waste and emergency planning requirements.

GTE Wireless , statewide, $31,800: For installing 443 emergency internal combustion engines at cell phone towers throughout Oregon without notifying DEQ, as required. DEQ requires the information to track air contaminant emissions and to ensure new sources are properly regulated.

Reworld Marion , Brooks, $22,800: For multiple violations of the air pollution permit for its garbage incinerator, formerly called Covanta Marion. Between 2022 and 2024 the company exceeded permitted limits for carbon monoxide, opacity and sulfur dioxide emissions. DEQ also cited, but didn’t fine, the company for violations related to its baghouse and carbon injection system operations. The Statesman Journal reported on the fine on July 5.

City of Seneca , $13,125: For discharging wastewater from an unpermitted location and for multiple violations of the conditions of its wastewater permit.

Yoshida Foods International , Portland, $9,600: For discharging wastewater from its food processing facility to a tributary of the Columbia Slough without a permit.

Matthews International , Sherwood, $8,108: For discharging stormwater from an industrial facility without a permit since Jan. 1, 2003.

Federal Express , Medford, $6,400: For failing to monitor its industrial stormwater discharge as required by the permit for its transportation and warehousing facility.

City of Philomath , $5,200: For allowing plastic filter beads to escape from the city’s sewage treatment plant into an oxbow of the Marys River. DEQ also cited, but did not fine, the city for failing to report the discharge to DEQ within 24 hours, as required by its permit.

Tracy Loew covers the environment at the Statesman Journal. Send comments, questions and tips: tloew@statesmanjournal.com or 503-399-6779. Follow her on Twitter at @Tracy_Loew

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Millersburg foundry, Brooks incinerator among DEQ fines in June