DEP Fines Covanta For Air Permit Violations
Company Reduced Level of Emissions, Will Pay Fine to State Clean Air Fund

NORRISTOWN PA (10/20/08) The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Covanta Delaware Valley $45,600 in civil penalties for air quality permit violations at its Delaware County facility.

Routing testing performed by Covanta found emission levels of nickel, a waste byproduct, were more than twice the permitted level at its Chester facility.

Air quality standards and regulations are in place to protect the health and safety of our residents, said Department of Environmental Protection Regional Director Joseph A. Feola. We worked closely with Covanta to ensure the reduction of the elevated level of emissions and bring the unit back into compliance.

In November 2006, Covanta tested a municipal waste combustor unit at its Highland Avenue resource recovery facility and discovered the elevated levels of nickel. The company continued to operate the unit, emitting elevated levels of nickel, while performing work to reduce the release of raised emissions from the facilities baghouse, or industrial dust collector. Follow-up testing in January 2007 revealed that the nickel emission levels had lowered to levels well within the companys permitted limits.

Under terms of the agreement, the company will pay the penalty to the commonwealths Clean Air Fund, which is used to pay for air quality improvements statewide.

For more information on air quality issues, visit the departments Web site at www.state.pa.us, Keyword: Air Quality.