EPA Fines Tenaris Global Services for Environmental Reporting Violations
07/19/2011 - Tenaris Global Services, (USA) Corp. has agreed to pay $717,324 in civil penalties to settle violations of environmental regulations at seven facilities.
Tenaris Global Services, (USA) Corp. has agreed to pay $717,324 in civil penalties to the United States to settle violations of environmental regulations at seven facilities. The action follows the public reporting of toxic chemicals at the company’s facilities in Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
According to the EPA, the company failed to report quantities of chemicals on site that were manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility during 2005 to 2008. The regulated chemicals included lead, manganese, nickel, nitrate compounds, xylene, chromium, nitric acid, glycol ethers and zinc compounds. Companies are required to report these chemicals each year.
“These laws are in place to protect workers, emergency responders and the community in the event of an accidental release or fire,” said Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. "Without accurate information, local officials can't make informed decisions and people don't know what to do."
The following Tenaris Global Services facilities were levied fines:
According to the EPA, the company failed to report quantities of chemicals on site that were manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility during 2005 to 2008. The regulated chemicals included lead, manganese, nickel, nitrate compounds, xylene, chromium, nitric acid, glycol ethers and zinc compounds. Companies are required to report these chemicals each year.
“These laws are in place to protect workers, emergency responders and the community in the event of an accidental release or fire,” said Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. "Without accurate information, local officials can't make informed decisions and people don't know what to do."
The following Tenaris Global Services facilities were levied fines:
· Hydril Co., McCarty Manufacturing Plant, Houston, Texas, $141,344
· Hydril Co., Westwego Manufacturing Plant, Westwego, La., $108,717
· Maverick Tube Corp., Hickman Facility, Blytheville, Ark., $119,422
· Maverick Tube Corp., Tenaris Conroe Facility, Conroe, Texas, $43,281
· Tenaris Coiled Tubes, Precision Tube Technology, Houston, Texas, $105,661
· Tenaris Coiled Tubes, Subsea Center, Houston, Texas, $34,171
· Maverick Tube Corp., ARAI facility, Houston, Texas, $164,728
Submission of the annual toxic chemical reports is a requirement of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA). Under EPCRA regulations, large companies are required to submit annual reports to EPA and state authorities listing the amounts of regulated chemicals that are manufactured, processed or otherwise used at the facility. The reports provide an important source of information to emergency planners and responders as well as residents of surrounding communities.
EPCRA was enacted by Congress in 1986 for the protection of the public from chemical emergencies and dangers.
Tenaris Global Services, (USA) Corp. manufactures and supplies steel pipe products for the oil and energy industry.
