Connecticut Scrap LLC and its affiliates reach settlement with US EPA

Under the terms of a recent settlement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Connecticut Scrap LLC, Uncasville, Connecticut, and five related scrap metal companies in Connecticut and Rhode Island will pay a total penalty of $160,000 and take important steps to comply with the Clean Air Act (CAA), according to a news release from the EPA.

The EPA alleged that Connecticut Scrap failed to comply with federal standards for large stationary diesel engines designed to reduce air pollution. EPA also claimed that Connecticut Scrap and its five related scrap metal companies—Nichols Auto Parts, Clinton, Connecticut; City Auto Parts, Hartford, Connecticut; Yerringtons, North Stonington, Connecticut; Jordan’s Used Auto Parts, Preston, Connecticut; Ross Recycling, Putnam, Connecticut; and Exeter Scrap, Exeter, Rhode Island—failed to comply with federal standards designed to protect the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields ultra-violet radiation from the sun. 

In lieu of complying by installing controls on its large stationary diesel engine, Connecticut Scrap opted to take the engine, which powered its automobile shredder, out of service and connect to the electric power grid, the EPA says. Connecticut Scrap completed this conversion in March 2019. Connecticut Scrap accepts and shreds various postconsumer and industrial metals. The facility collects white goods, appliances, cars, demolition waste and other metals from the public and from scrap yards operated by its related entities in Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Removing this engine and switching to grid power helps reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and particulate matter, as well as hazardous air pollutants, such as formaldehyde, the EPA adds. The health effects of these pollutants include a range of respiratory issues, especially asthma among children and seniors.

In addition, the EPA says Connecticut Scrap certified to the agency that it is complying with the regulations designed to limit air releases of chemicals such as refrigerants used in air conditioning systems and cooling equipment that damage the earth's stratospheric ozone layer.

"EPA is committed to protecting public health and clean air by ensuring compliance with laws and regulations that limit pollution from diesel engines," EPA New England Regional Administrator Dennis Deziel says. "EPA appreciates that these companies worked cooperatively to correct the issues raised during this case."