Bath Iron Works and a company based in Lincoln County have agreed to pay civil penalties to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for allegedly failing to report their use and release of toxic chemicals, according to a news release issued Tuesday.
The EPA said that settlements were reached with four New England-based companies including BIW and Masters Machine Co. of Round Pound, a village in the Lincoln County town of Bristol, resolving all of the alleged violations.
BIW, which builds Navy destroyers on the Kennebec River in Bath, agreed to pay a $355,000 penalty under the settlement and Masters Machine Co., which manufactures precision automotive and electrical components, will pay a $92,210 penalty.
The EPA alleged the shipyard also failed to comply with all the requirements in its storm water permit. The EPA said Tuesday that the settlement will resolve all alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, including claims of failing to submit TRI reports for various heavy metals and chemicals.
The complaint alleged BIW failed to fully comply with permits that are meant to minimize waste from the process of shipbuilding, including the risk of metal runoff into the Kennebec River.
The obligation to report the use of toxic chemicals, based on a 1986 law, ensures that citizens and public officials have access to information that could affect their environment and communities.
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