Richard Hub, Illegal Waste Disposal, KS 1996

Coffeyville, Kansas – Richard Hub, the owner of Bio-Clean (also operating as Genesis Industries and Oil Recovery Technology), was sentenced to prison in 1996 for illegally disposing of waste into an unapproved injection well, jeopardizing local drinking water supplies. The case, brought by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), highlighted a deliberate circumvention of federal regulations designed to protect public health and the environment.

Hub operated a waste storage and disposal facility at the OK Oil site in Coffeyville. Instead of utilizing properly permitted facilities for hazardous waste, Hub directed the waste generated by his businesses into a disposal well not authorized to receive such materials. This practice directly violates the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), a cornerstone of environmental protection in the United States. The SDWA strictly regulates underground injection of waste to prevent contamination of underground sources of drinking water.

The investigation, which began in late 1994, revealed a pattern of non-compliance. Hub failed to notify the relevant authorities as required by law regarding the nature and volume of waste being injected. On October 4, 1994, Hub was indicted on two counts of violating the SDWA, specifically 42 U.S.C. 300(h) through 300(h)7, related to failure to notify.

After initially pleading not guilty, Hub ultimately changed his plea on March 19, 1996, admitting guilt to one count of violating 42 U.S.C. 300(h)7. This charge centers on the failure to properly notify authorities about the injection well activity. The prosecution argued that Hub knowingly disregarded the regulations, prioritizing cost savings over public safety.

Sentencing and Penalties

On July 3, 1996, Hub received a 36-month prison sentence for his crime. In addition to incarceration, he was sentenced to 12 months of probation following his release and ordered to pay $50,000 in federal fines. The severity of the sentence reflects the seriousness of the offense and the potential for long-term environmental damage. The EPA continues to emphasize the importance of strict adherence to the SDWA to safeguard drinking water resources nationwide.

Key Facts

• Defendant: Richard Hub
• Company: Bio-Clean (Genesis Industries, Oil Recovery Technology)
• Location: OK Oil site, Coffeyville, Kansas
• Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 300(h) through 300(h)7 (Safe Drinking Water Act – failure to notify)
• Sentence: 36 months incarceration, 12 months probation
• Fines: $50,000
• Crime: Illegal disposal of waste into an unapproved injection well, endangering underground drinking water.

GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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