John Senn (senn.john@epa.gov)
BOSTON (July 31, 2025) – Today, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an agreement with Monarch Metal Finishing Co., Inc., a Rhode Island-based metal plating and polishing company, that resolves alleged Clean Air Act (CAA) compliance issues at the company’s metal-working facilities in Providence and Johnston, Rhode Island.
“EPA’s core mission is to protect human health and the environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. “The agreement reached with Monarch Metals will reduce hazardous air emissions, ensuring clean air, land and water for Rhode Islanders.”
Monarch Metal Finishing Co. Inc., was found to be out of compliance with regulations that control the release of hazardous air emissions and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment. Under the agreement with EPA, Monarch will pay a penalty of $157,041.
At the Providence facility, the company allegedly failed to certify compliance with federal emissions regulations and to follow Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management standards limiting VOC emissions.
At the Johnston facility, the company also allegedly failed to certify compliance, did not use proper emission controls, and did not submit required notifications to EPA. Regulated facilities are required to comply with CAA standards to prevent the release of toxic metals, such as chromium, nickel and lead, and to control VOC emissions.
Read more information about the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).
