Vermont Business Magazine The Department of Environmental Conservation announced this month that it formally settled environmental violations involving Whitcomb Construction Corporation. The corporation owns and operates a rock quarry, stone crushing operation, manufactured sand and processing operation, and hot mix asphalt plant in Colchester. The settlement includes a $42,600 penalty for a series of violations of its Air Pollution Control Permit.
The Permit contains particulate matter emission limits, annual hot mix asphalt production limits, and annual fuel consumption limits. Compliance with these limits protects the public from exposure to various types of harmful air pollution.
Whitcomb exceeded its annual hot mix asphalt production and fuel consumption limits in 2014, and exceeded particulate matter emissions limits in 2014 and 2015. Particulates contain tiny particles that can bury deep into the lungs and cause serious health problems, including: premature death in people with heart or lung disease, nonfatal heart attacks, irregular heartbeat, aggravated asthma and decreased lung function.
“Vermonters expect and deserve clean air,” said Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner, Alyssa Schuren. “When they are out hiking, biking and enjoying Vermont’s beautiful landscape this summer, Vermonters can breathe easier knowing that harmful air violations are being addressed.”
To address the air quality violations, Whitcomb ultimately replaced filter bags and gaskets in the facility’s fabric filter dust collector that were suspected to be leaking.
Following review of the production, consumption, and testing results, Whitcomb was notified of the violations and agreed to settle the matter. The settlement was reduced to an Assurance of Discontinuance, and adopted as an order by the Environmental Court. In it, Whitcomb Construction Corporation agreed to pay a $42,600 penalty, conduct a re-test of their emissions, and submit the results.
If emission limits have not been brought into compliance, the corporation will hire a consultant to assess the facility, identify corrective actions, and a timeline for implementation and re-testing. Corrective actions, if necessary, along with additional testing to demonstrate compliance with emission limits, will help prevent the harmful effects of particulate pollution on the general population surrounding the plant.
Source: Department of Environmental Conservation 7.29.2016