The city of Tacoma has agreed to spend almost $525,000 in response to improperly disposed of appliances. It will pay $224,684 in penalties for releasing chlorofluorocarbons. These refrigerants cause depletion of ozone in the atmosphere and have negative effects on human health, such as increasing the risk of developing skin cancer. The city will also spend nearly $300,000 on efforts to reduce pollution.
The city entered into a consent decree with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice for releasing the refrigerant into the air at its household hazardous waste facility. As a result of the decree and environmental projects specified in it, city officials claim the environment will be safer and cleaner and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced.
According to the EPA, refrigerant was released between October 2004 and August 2007 in violation of the federal Clean Air Act.
The city will pay the civil penalty and complete three projects aimed at reducing diesel emissions and improve air quality. It will replace one existing diesel garbage truck with one powered by diesel hydraulic hybrid technology. This vehicle will save fuel and reduce emissions.
It will purchase an electric hybrid “yard mule,” a small tractor used to move trailers around at the landfill. This vehicle runs largely on electricity.
The city will retrofit 10 semi tractor-trailer trucks with equipment that reduces emissions.
In November 2006, a departing city employee expressed concern about the handling of refrigerant gases at the landfill. The city immediately contacted EPA to report the potential violation and seek assistance in dealing with the concern.
A city investigation was unable to substantiate improper refrigerant recovery practices and city officials understood that technicians were following accepted procedures.
EPA determined the city released refrigerant from storage tanks after the gases were removed from appliances. The agency estimated that about 4,160 pounds of R-12 and 450 pounds of R-22 were improperly vented from the storage tanks. The city did not have sufficient documentation to prove this did not happen.
Tacoma City Council authorized the consent decree in June. Prior to its vote, Mike Slevin from the Public Works Department discussed the issue. He said EPA informed the city it wanted to reach a settlement last October. After some negotiations, the two sides reached an agreement.
The city has already implemented strict refrigerant handling procedures, including increased recordkeeping standards. Slevin said he is confident these new policies will prevent the release of refrigerants in the future.
“The taxpayers got something useful in the end,” Councilmember Ryan Mello remarked.
Councilmember Jake Fey said he was impressed the city disclosed the violation to EPA.
“I respect the honesty of the staff,” Fey said. “Too often people do not take responsibility for what they do.”
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