The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday a settlement with Pittsburg-based USS-UPI, fining the steel company $4 million for a series of hazardous waste violations going back to 2017.
County health investigators found more than a dozen violations at the company’s Loveridge Road facility involving the maintenance, storage and disposal of hazardous materials.
The company was cited for failure to maintain and operate the facility to minimize the possibility of fire explosions or unplanned release of hazardous waste, not having adequate safety plans in place, and not adequately training employees in safety procedures.
Some of the materials being improperly stored included oil, plating solutions, and acidic and caustic solutions.
“It is of vital importance to hold our companies responsible for the unlawful maintenance, storage and disposal of hazardous materials and waste,” District Attorney Diana Becton said in a statement. “USS-UPI was cooperative throughout our investigation and this settlement was only reached after verification that USS-UPI had corrected the violations and created and implemented an environmental compliance framework.”
Of the settlement, $1.75 million will be civil penalties, $1 million goes to environmental compliance, $250,000 for supplemental projects promoting training for California environmental agencies and funding to support the “Health Career Pathways Programs.”
USS-UPI must also abide by an injunction and be subject to a suspended penalty of $1 million to ensure future compliance. It must also reimburse the county for investigation costs.
huh query
so if the gov seems so environmentally bullish
why do the bums get to dump and pollute our waterways without interdiction
as well as avoid mask mandates or vaccine mandates
as well as theft and loitering and equity bias
and the numerous amount of fires they set
not to mention the disease ….what do the dems call it
oh yeah super spreaders
all of this is ok with dem voters and politicians
so illegals are crossing in unheard of numbers un checked
yet we are locked down and forced to abide by a dem agenda
and have our kids get experimental drugs put in them
yet ivermectin a regulated and well known safe and effective source do defeat covid is not allowed
Yeah, let’s fine out of existence one of the last steel plants in California. Hell, they don’t even make steel. They’re a steel treatment and plating facility only, IIRC. The steel is imported from Korea and treated/plated at POSCO.
They should fine Twitter for allowing the Taliban to have an account yet banning Trump. That would be an actual public service.
Probably cheaper to pay the fines than hire lawyers to fight.
Its to bad that she isn’t as tough on violent crime and crimes that were committed by fellow politicians (see Joe Canciamilla).
Shouldn’t they get $0 bail and $0 fines?
and yet violent criminals go free because of zero dollar bails…
Prosecute the steel business, ignore criminals who steal from business.
and dont forget last weeks going after dog poop bags that falsely advertise that they are biodegradable…..looks like they are going after the money instead of after the criminals….
While we are in the mood to recall weak and misplaced leadership by recall…the citizens of Contra Costa surely would benefit from Becton’s departure from the DA’s office. When you consider the fouling of air, water, soil, etc., look no further than these wretched homeless encampments! The expense of these urban/suburban disasters make the heavy industries look like altar boys!
Yeah, go after someone/something that is standing still!! USS-POSCO provides employment for some locals but we cannot allow pollution and put POSCO out of business like Biden did with the KEYSTONE.
It needs to be a total removal from “power” of Barbra Lee, Swalwell, Pelosi, Eshoo, Skinner, DeSaulnier, Bonta, Wee-wee Weiner, Ting and other lesser players!