Settlement Between EPA, Anchor Glass Will Limit Air Pollution

Anchor Glass Container Corporation's plant in Greendale is one of several getting new pollution controls.

Anchor Glass Container Corporation's manufacturing plant in Greendale. 

(Greendale, Ind.) – An alleged violation of the federal Clean Air Act will cost the owner of a glass manufacturing plant in Greendale, and ultimately benefit the health of neighbors.

The U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement agreement with Anchor Glass Container Corporation on Friday. The agreement, according to a DOJ release, will resolve the clean air violations at all six of Anchor’s plants in six states, including the facility in Greendale.

Anchor allegedly violated the Clean Air Act by failing to seek permits for New Source Review major modifications at its facilities.

The agreement will see Anchor install pollution controls to cut emissions of nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter at its glass manufacturing plants.

“In this settlement, Anchor Glass Container Corporation has agreed to bring all of its manufacturing facilities into compliance with Clean Air Act requirements, which will help reduce harmful air pollutants to ensure the health and safety of communities in six states,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey H. Wood for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department will continue to work closely with the EPA and to partner with states to ensure compliance with federal clean air laws nationwide.”

The harmful gases contribute to acid rain, smog, and haze. For humans, they can cause severe respiratory and cardiovascular impacts and premature death.

Under the settlement, Anchor will spend about $40 million to implement pollution controls at nine of its 11 furnaces, including installing continuous emissions monitors for NOx and SO2 at all 11 furnaces. Old wood-burning appliances and diesel engines will be replaced or retrofitted.

NOx emissions will be reduced by over 2,000 tons per year, SO2 emissions will be reduced by over 700 tons per year and PM emissions will be reduced by over 100 tons per year. The gas reductions, the DOJ says, will benefit the communities located near the Anchor plants.

Anchor will also pay a civil penalty of $1.1 million to be divided between the United States and the two states which participated in the settlement negotiations, Indiana and Oklahoma.

“Protecting the health and safety of Indiana residents is one of my office’s top priorities,” said Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. “Settlements such as this one help ensure that future generations will breathe cleaner air, and I’m grateful for the collaboration of our federal and state partners in bringing about this positive result.”

The proposed consent decree was lodged today in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida and is subject to a 30-day public comment period and final court approval. Public comment is being accepted, with information available at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decree/us-et-al-v-anchor-glass-container-corporation.

The company produces products including beer bottles, jars, and other class containers.