[ADEQ Media] ADEQ Director Owens Announces Red J Environmental Corp. to Pay $63, 500 Penalty for Hazardous Waste Violations

[media@lists.azdeq.gov]

PHOENIX (June 23, 2008) - Arizona Department of Environmental Quality
Director Steve Owens announced today that Red J Environmental Corp., a
hazardous waste transporter based in Joseph City, Arizona, will pay
$63,500 in penalties for hazardous waste violations that occurred when
it transported waste in the Phoenix area. 

 

"This company committed a number of violations that potentially
endangered the environment and the public," Director Owens said. "The
company's actions were simply unacceptable."

 

ADEQ learned that the Navajo County company illegally stored 32,000
gallons of petroleum-contaminated wastewater treatment sludge after test
results indicated the sludge was a hazardous waste.  Federal and state
law prohibits the storage of hazardous waste for longer than 90 days
without a permit, which the company did not have.

 

Red J had moved the waste from the Cave Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant
in 2004 and 2005 to a yard at 3215 S. 7th Street in Phoenix.

 

In February 2005, Red J received the test results, which showed that the
sludge contained benzene and could easily catch fire.  ADEQ inspectors
discovered that the sludge had remained stored at the Phoenix site until
the end of April 2005.  

 

In addition, the company transported the waste about 15 miles from Cave
Creek without the manifest required by state and federal law,
transported hazardous waste without a required EPA ID number, and failed
to pay the relevant fees.

 

"If you are going to be in the business of transporting toxic waste,
you'd better follow the law," Owens said.

 

-30-

 

"News media interested in additional information on this or any other
topic concerning the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality should
contact the Office of Communications at (602) 771-2215 or via email at
communications@azdeq.gov."

 

 

 

 

 

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