Mereco settles EPA claims on air emissions

BOSTON – A Rhode Island chemical-manufacturing company has a reached a settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will require it to take steps to minimize its air emissions.
Mereco Technologies Group Inc. has agreed to settle claims that it neither complied with the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources, nor applied for a necessary R.I. Clean Air Act permit.
The West Warwick company will pay a $60,000 penalty. Mereco must also apply for an air permit and take steps to reduce emissions and ensure compliance with air-pollution regulations.
Additionally, as part of the settlement, Mereco will, among other things: install covers on mixing vessels containing hazardous air pollutants and/or volatile organic compounds; record monthly and annual HAP usage; conduct quarterly monitoring of all process vessels using EPA approved methods; and cap HAP and VOC emissions.
The claim grew out of a joint EPA and R.I. Department of Environmental Management inspection. In February 2014, EPA notified Mereco of EPA’s allegations of potential violations. Since being notified, Mereco has worked cooperatively with EPA to address the alleged violations and reach a settlement, the agency said. •

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