AG Van Hollen: Eau Claire company to pay $80,000 to settle environmental case

Eau Claire company to pay $80,000 to settle environmental case

Dana Brueck 608/266-1221

MADISON — Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that his office has settled a civil complaint against WRR Environmental Services Company, Inc., of Eau Claire. WRR Environmental Services Company is a licensed hazardous waste treatment and storage facility and has a facility air pollution permit. It operates a number of solvent management processes in Eau Claire County.

The complaint alleges that WRR Environmental Services Company constructed a fuel blending area without a construction permit, operated a fuel blending process without a permit, and operated a facility with cracked and pitted secondary containment systems, in violation of state environmental protection laws.

WRR Environmental Services Company has agreed to correct the violations and continue to maintain the facility in a safe and lawful manner. In addition, the facility has agreed to engage a consultant to conduct an environmental compliance audit to identify and rectify additional harmful violations. The company will pay $80,000 in forfeitures, penalties, and attorney’s fees. If WRR Environmental Services Company fails to correct violations identified in the future through the environmental compliance audit, it may be subject to up to $60,000 in additional forfeitures and penalties.

Assistant Attorney General Cynthia R. Hirsch prosecuted the case. The settlement was approved by Eau Claire County Circuit Court Judge Jon Theisen on July 13, 2012.