Trucking Firm to Finish Cleanup from I-80 Accident Pays $31,000 for Penalty and Cost Recovery to DEP

MEADVILLE -- A trucking company that transports hazardous waste has been ordered to complete a cleanup along Interstate 80 in Clinton Township, Venango County, where waste was spilled in an accident that occurred on Dec. 30, 2009.

The company, known as Eldredge, Inc., has entered into a consent order and agreement requiring them to pay a $20,000 civil penalty and $11,000 to cover DEP costs for responding to the spill and overseeing the cleanup.
The accident occurred when a tanker trailer leased by Eldredge was traveling westbound on I-80 just east of Exit 35 when the tanker failed and broke in half.  Approximately 4,200 gallons of ammonium bifluoride spilled onto 1,000 feet of the highway surface before the driver could bring the truck to a halt. Waste flowed onto the highway median and catch basin.

The spill caused the interstate to be closed for more than 12 hours as cleanup crews applied 22,000 pounds of soda ash to neutralize the hazardous waste.

In March 2010, DEP issued an order that committed Eldredge to remediate the spill site in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Land Recycling Act. In April 2010, Eldredge appealed the order to the Environmental Hearing Board.

This consent order and agreement obligates Eldredge to a cleanup schedule and standard in accordance with the Land Recycling Act. Within 30 days, Eldredge is required to submit to DEP a notice of intent to remediate the spill site and a schedule for implementing the cleanup. Once DEP approves the remediation schedule, Eldredge will proceed with the cleanup.

The $20,000 penalty will be directed to the state’s Solid Waste Abatement Fund, which finances cleanups of illegal dumps and other hazards to public health.

For more information on waste management regulations, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Waste management.