In a shocking expose of corporate greed, Houston-based CCS (USA) Inc. and its subsidiaries will pay a $2.5 million civil penalty for their role in a devastating toxic spill that poisoned the Red River and Shreveport Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW).
John Emerson Tuma, the mastermind behind the scheme, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence for his crimes.
The wastewater treatment plant in Shreveport, which CCS acquired in 2006, was found to have been operated with reckless abandon, resulting in the discharge of untreated and improperly treated wastewater into the Red River and POTW.
Inspections by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality revealed a laundry list of violations, including unpermitted storage and improper handling of hazardous wastes and sludge, unpermitted stormwater discharges, and noncompliance with Clean Air Act requirements for benzene-containing wastes.
Under the terms of the settlement, CCS will be forced to remove the hazardous wastes illegally stored at the facility, which were discovered during the EPA and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality inspections. The company will also cease wastewater treatment operations at the facility. The $2.5 million civil penalty will be split evenly between the United States and the state of Louisiana.
The stipulation of settlement, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana, is subject to a 45-day public comment period and approval by the federal court. The public is urged to comment on the proposed settlement and ensure that CCS (USA) Inc. is held accountable for their crimes.
This is not the first time CCS has been accused of environmental crimes. In 2006, the company acquired the Shreveport wastewater treatment plant through its purchase of two closely held companies owned by John Emerson Tuma. It seems that CCS has a history of putting profits over people and the environment.
The people of Shreveport and Louisiana deserve justice for the devastating impact that CCS’ actions have had on their community. The proposed settlement is a step in the right direction, but it is only the beginning. We will continue to investigate and report on this story as more information becomes available.
In a statement, the EPA said, ‘The EPA is committed to protecting our environment and the health of our communities. We will continue to work with the state of Louisiana to ensure that CCS (USA) Inc. is held accountable for their crimes.’
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