CP Industries LLC, Environmental Discharge Without Permit, Pennsylvania 2012

York, Pennsylvania – CP Industries, LLC, a manufacturing facility, has been penalized for years of non-compliance with state environmental regulations, culminating in a guilty plea earlier this year. The case, investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (EPA-CID) and pursued by state authorities, reveals a pattern of unauthorized discharges and a failure to properly account for industrial waste.

The initial incident occurred in 2008, when a discharge of dye from the CP Industries facility turned the water at the York Municipal Industrial Pretreatment Program (MIPP) a noticeable color. Critically, at the time of the discharge, CP Industries was operating without a valid permit to discharge waste, immediately raising red flags with local environmental regulators. While the company later applied for and received a permit in October 2010, the problems didn’t end there.

Throughout the permit term, CP Industries repeatedly violated the conditions of its agreement with MIPP. Numerous Notices of Violation (NOVs) were issued for both failing to meet reporting requirements and exceeding established discharge limits. These ongoing issues ultimately led to the suspension of the company’s permit, prompting MIPP to demand a plan for responsible waste management. CP Industries verbally claimed to be transporting its waste to its primary office in Salt Lake City, Utah.

However, this claim proved difficult to substantiate. Despite repeated requests from MIPP for documentation – such as waste manifests or bills of lading – CP Industries failed to provide any verifiable proof that the waste was actually being transported and disposed of properly. This lack of transparency fueled suspicions that the company was not adhering to environmental protocols and potentially illegally disposing of hazardous materials. The failure to provide documentation constitutes a significant obstruction of the investigation.

On January 17, 2012, CP Industries was formally charged with violating state environmental regulations relating to discharging without an approved pretreatment permit. The company subsequently pled guilty on April 9, 2012, and was sentenced to pay a $2,081 fine. While the monetary penalty is relatively modest, the case highlights the importance of consistent environmental oversight and accountability for industrial facilities.

The case underscores the critical role of pretreatment programs like MIPP in protecting local waterways from pollution. The EPA-CID and state authorities will continue to monitor CP Industries to ensure future compliance and prevent further environmental violations. The incident serves as a reminder to all industrial facilities that adherence to environmental regulations is not merely a matter of legal compliance, but a vital responsibility to the community and the environment.

Table of Contents

Key Facts

Defendant: CP Industries, LLC
Location: York, Pennsylvania
Year: 2012
Statutes Violated: State environmental regulations regarding unauthorized discharge and failure to provide documentation of waste disposal.
Initial Violation: Illegal discharge of dye in 2008, prior to obtaining a discharge permit.
Penalty: $2,081 state fine.
Waste Management Claim: CP Industries claimed to transport waste to Salt Lake City, Utah, but failed to provide supporting documentation.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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