The US Yokohama plant has been fined
20 april 2012
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (USA) has fined the American plant of Yokohama for increased emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere.
Recall that six years ago, at the request of Yokohama, local authorities changed the status of the plant from Title V Major (potentially major source of hazardous emissions) to a "softer" one - Synthetic Minor Title V. As a result, the enterprise began to be subject to softer requirements for environmental pollution. Although two years earlier, in 2004, the plant began manufacturing a new rubber compound that increased ethanol emissions into the air.
However, it became known about this innovation only last year, after it was reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - it was after this that the American authorities learned about it. The result was a decision under which the Japanese company will not receive a permit for environmental use until it changes the production process to reduce emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere. As a fine for hiding information about their "actions", the Yokohama company is obliged to pay $49,340.
The company's representatives agreed with the claims against them, although the director of the American branch, Neil Dalton, stated that ethanol does not harm human health and the environment. Currently, they are working to obtain a permit for emissions into the atmosphere of substances with a higher proportion of hazardous elements.
Paradoxically, in 2010, the Yokohama plant in the United States received a certificate as an enterprise of increased environmental friendliness Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise (E4) under the eco-program Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP).
Recall that six years ago, at the request of Yokohama, local authorities changed the status of the plant from Title V Major (potentially major source of hazardous emissions) to a "softer" one - Synthetic Minor Title V. As a result, the enterprise began to be subject to softer requirements for environmental pollution. Although two years earlier, in 2004, the plant began manufacturing a new rubber compound that increased ethanol emissions into the air.
However, it became known about this innovation only last year, after it was reported to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - it was after this that the American authorities learned about it. The result was a decision under which the Japanese company will not receive a permit for environmental use until it changes the production process to reduce emissions of hazardous substances into the atmosphere. As a fine for hiding information about their "actions", the Yokohama company is obliged to pay $49,340.
The company's representatives agreed with the claims against them, although the director of the American branch, Neil Dalton, stated that ethanol does not harm human health and the environment. Currently, they are working to obtain a permit for emissions into the atmosphere of substances with a higher proportion of hazardous elements.
Paradoxically, in 2010, the Yokohama plant in the United States received a certificate as an enterprise of increased environmental friendliness Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise (E4) under the eco-program Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP).