Aug. 24, 2006 — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Justice have reached an agreement with A. Finkl & Sons Co. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's steel forging plant in Chicago.

The agreement resolves EPA allegations that Finkl violated performance standards for new sources of air pollution by making equipment modifications that caused an increase in particulate (smoke, dust, ash) emissions and by not getting permits that would have required better controls. In addition, EPA said the company failed to comply with operational and equipment standards as well as maintenance, record-keeping and reporting requirements.

As a result of the agreement, the company will carry out two environmental projects totaling $620,000, pay a $75,000 penalty, and comply with the Clean Air Act.

For one of its environmental projects, Finkl will spend $545,000 to install burners on one of its gas-fired furnaces that will cut smog-producing nitrogen oxide emissions by at least five tons a year. The company will also spend $75,000 to retrofit approximately 34 city of Chicago vehicles with diesel emission reduction devices.

"Exposure to diesel emissions is the leading public health risk in the six states that make up EPA Region 5," said acting regional administrator Bharat Mathur. "One of our priorities is to reduce diesel emissions through retrofits and other technologies. By retrofitting city of Chicago vehicles, Finkl is helping us meet that goal."

The public has until Sept. 18 to comment on the agreement.