May 5, 2004

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced that a settlement has been reached with Guardian Fiberglass in Albion, to resolve violations of the federal Clean Air Act, federal Prevention of Significant Deterioration regulations, Michigan's Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, and their DEQ-issued air pollution control permits at the facility through the entry of a Consent Judgment. As part of the settlement, Guardian Fiberglass has agreed to obtain the required air use permits for the facility; install and operate more efficient air pollution control equipment; and conduct air emissions testing to demonstrate compliance with federal and state air regulations. In addition, Guardian Fiberglass has agreed to pay a civil fine of $313,861 with stipulated penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, per day for violations of the settlement document.

The complaint and order were filed in Ingham County Circuit Court and alleged that the defendants failed to obtain an appropriate air use permit for the facility; exceeded a 50-ton-per-year limit of actual carbon monoxide emissions; failed to submit a renewable operating permit application in a timely manner; failed to remove collected air contaminants properly to maintain air pollution control equipment at its required operating efficiency and collect and dispose of air contaminants to minimize their introduction to the outer air; allowed the emission of an air contaminant that resulted in an unreasonable interference with the comfortable enjoyment of life and property; failed to maintain and operate air-cleaning devices in a satisfactory manner; failed to provide proper notification of process equipment malfunction or abnormal condition; exceeded phenol and formaldehyde emission limits; and exceeded a permitted production rate.

Editor’s note: DEQ news releases are available on the department’s Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

Revised May 5, 2004 by Pat Watson