Eurecat, Hazardous Waste Violation, TX 2001

Houston, TX – Eurecat, a Texas-based facility, was sentenced in January 2001 following a guilty plea to a violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The case, originating from an investigation into improper hazardous waste handling, highlights the complexities of interstate waste transportation and the responsibilities of storage facilities.

According to court documents, the illegal storage stemmed from a shipment of hazardous waste generated by Phillips Petroleum Company. The waste was initially sold to a North Dakota reclamation company with the intention of processing. However, the North Dakota facility exceeded its permitted storage capacity, leading to a five-month delay and the eventual storage of the toxic materials at Eurecat’s Texas location.

Federal prosecutors alleged that Eurecat knowingly stored the hazardous waste without the necessary permits required under RCRA. The initial charges, filed on August 17, 2000, focused on 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2)(A), which prohibits the unpermitted treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste. The arrangement, while seemingly a temporary solution to the North Dakota facility’s limitations, ultimately placed Eurecat in violation of federal environmental regulations.

The investigation revealed that the waste remained at Eurecat for an extended period due to the receiving facility’s inability to accept it within regulatory timeframes. This situation underscores the critical importance of verifying the receiving facility’s capacity and permit status *before* initiating hazardous waste shipments. Industry experts suggest this case serves as a cautionary tale for companies involved in waste management and transportation, emphasizing the need for diligent due diligence.

On October 30, 2000, Eurecat entered a guilty plea to the RCRA violation. The sentencing, handed down on January 30, 2001, included a 24-month probationary period, a $25,000 federal fine, and a mandated community service payment of $150,000 directed towards the City of Houston Environmental Criminal Enforcement Unit. The payment is intended to bolster local efforts in combating environmental crimes.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Eurecat
Crime: Violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
State: Texas
Year: 2001
Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. § 6928(d)(2)(A)
Penalties: 24 months probation, $25,000 fine, $150,000 community service payment to the City of Houston.
Origin of Waste: Phillips Petroleum Company
Transit/Receiving Company: North Dakota reclamation company (name withheld)
Duration of Illegal Storage: Five months

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to prioritize enforcement of RCRA regulations to protect public health and the environment. This case demonstrates the agency’s commitment to holding entities accountable for improperly handling hazardous waste, even when acting as a temporary storage location for materials originating elsewhere.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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