AMARILLO, TX – Team Industrial Services, Inc. has been sentenced following a guilty plea to negligent endangerment stemming from falsified emissions monitoring at a refinery near Borger, Texas. The company, contracted to perform leak detection and repair services, deliberately manipulated data and failed to follow proper protocols, leading to the release of hazardous pollutants into the atmosphere between 2007 and 2009.
According to court documents, Team employees knowingly bypassed required emissions monitoring procedures and then fabricated data to conceal their negligence. A supervisor, aware of the false information, further compounded the crime by altering the company’s emissions database to present inaccurate reports to both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). This deliberate deception created the appearance of regulatory compliance while simultaneously endangering the health and safety of nearby communities.
The EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division uncovered the scheme, revealing that the falsified reports allowed unchecked emissions to continue, potentially exposing individuals to serious health risks and even death. The manipulation wasn’t simply a matter of oversight; investigators found a clear pattern of intentional misconduct designed to avoid responsibility and maintain lucrative contracts.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Clinton E. Averitte sentenced Team Industrial Services to a five-year term of probation and ordered the company to pay a $200,000 fine. Furthermore, as part of the plea agreement, Team is required to develop and implement a comprehensive Environmental Compliance Plan focused on leak detection and reporting. This plan aims to ensure future adherence to the Clean Air Act’s regulations.
Legal Ramifications
Team Industrial Services was charged with violating 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) of the Clean Air Act, which addresses negligent release of air pollutants. The penalty reflects the severity of the offense and the company’s deliberate attempt to circumvent environmental regulations. Adding to the repercussions, Team’s facility on Florida Street in Borger has been added to the EPA’s List of Violating Facilities, effectively disqualifying it from receiving any federal funding, contracts, grants, or loans until removed from the list.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Team Industrial Services, Inc.
- Location: Borger, Texas
- Crime: Negligent release of hazardous air pollutants and falsification of emissions data.
- Statute Violated: 42 U.S.C. 7413(c)(4) – Clean Air Act
- Penalty: 5 years probation, $200,000 fine, Environmental Compliance Plan, and placement on the EPA’s List of Violating Facilities.
- Timeline: Falsification occurred between 2007-2009; Plea entered November 15, 2012.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences faced by companies that prioritize profit over environmental responsibility and public safety. The EPA and Department of Justice continue to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against those who violate environmental laws, ensuring accountability and protecting communities from harmful pollution.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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