Portland, OR – Oregon Oils, Inc., a Northwest Portland facility processing fats, oils, and grease from local restaurants, has been penalized a total of $538,500 for repeated violations of wastewater discharge permits. The company also received 24 months of probation following a criminal investigation conducted by the Oregon State Police, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Oregon Department of Justice.
The City of Portland’s Bureau of Environmental Services initiated an enforcement action in 2018 after discovering Oregon Oils was failing to adequately pretreat its wastewater before discharging it into the city’s sewer system. Proper pretreatment is crucial to prevent clogs and overflows, protecting both infrastructure and public health. The $538,500 settlement includes $238,500 in civil penalties and $300,000 in sewer-related charges – the largest recovery in the Environmental Services’ program history.
While Oregon Oils neither admitted nor denied the allegations, the company has agreed to upgrade its pretreatment equipment and grant the city improved access for monitoring its discharges. Critically, the company will be barred from discharging wastewater into the city sewer system until these improvements are completed and verified. Sources within the Bureau of Environmental Services indicated the initial violations involved consistently high levels of fats, oils, and grease exceeding permitted limits, contributing to localized sewer backups.
Criminal Charges & Sentencing
Beyond the civil settlement, Oregon Oils pled guilty last month to two misdemeanor counts of Water Pollution in the Second Degree, a violation of Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 468.943. The sentencing, handed down on June 19, 2019, included the standard condition of obeying all laws, along with a specific requirement to fully comply with the terms of the city’s agreement. This ensures the company addresses both the immediate financial penalties and implements long-term changes to prevent future violations.
This case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial needs with environmental protection in urban areas. While Oregon Oils provides a valuable service by collecting and processing waste grease, the company’s failure to adhere to wastewater regulations posed a significant risk to Portland’s infrastructure and potentially, the Willamette River. Investigators found evidence suggesting the company was aware of the deficiencies in its pretreatment processes but failed to take adequate corrective action.
The EPA and state authorities are increasingly focusing on enforcement actions against companies that violate clean water regulations. This case sends a clear message that environmental compliance is not optional, and that companies will be held accountable for actions that harm the environment and public infrastructure. Further investigation is ongoing to determine if similar violations have occurred at other grease processing facilities in the region.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Oregon Oils, Inc.
- Crime: Water Pollution (ORS 468.943)
- Location: Portland, Oregon
- Year: 2019
- Civil Penalties: $238,500
- Sewer Charges: $300,000
- Criminal Sentence: 24 months probation
- Corrective Action: Upgrade pretreatment equipment, improve monitoring access
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime