Timken to Pay $154k in Air Pollution Case

Timken to Pay $154k in Air Pollution Case Timken Aerospace has agreed to pay $154,000 to settle air pollution violations at its plant in Lebanon. The state alleged that Timken violated air pollution rules and permit conditions starting in 2003. Among the violations were: operating a waste oil boiler for six months without a permit; burning waste oil that did not meet certain permit specifications; and failing to submit emission reports or pay emission fees in a timely manner. Officials said the violations were discovered during a compliance inspection in September 2006 at Timken¡¯s Lebanon facility. Timken¡¯s permit had allowed it to burn used oil. Timken did not admit to any of the state¡¯s allegations, but the state Department of Environmental Services said the firm has taken ¡°significant measures to ensure that similar problems never occur in the future.¡± Under the settlement, Timken will pay a $154,000 civil penalty. It also has committed to implementing an environmental management system and to surrendering its air permit to DES. The company cannot reapply for an air permit until 2009. ¡°The substantial penalty assessed in this case is a reflection of the extent and duration of the documented violations,¡± said DES Commissioner Thomas Burack. ¡°It is expected that the future compliance measures to be implemented by Timken to monitor its Lebanon facility, such as implementing an environmental management system, will reduce the likelihood of similar problems from occurring in the future.¡±