ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
November 1, 2001
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v.
PETERSBURG PLUMBING AND
HEATING, a Delaware corporation,
Respondent.
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PCB 00-176
(Enforcement – Public Water Supply)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by N.J. Melas):
On April 18, 2000, the Office of the Attorney General, on behalf of the People of the
State of Illinois (People), filed a complaint against respondents the City of Auburn (Auburn),
Benton & Associates, Inc. (Benton), and Petersburg Plumbing and Heating (PPH).
See
415
ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2000); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.204. The People allege that respondents violated
Sections 12(b) and 18 of the Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/12(b) and 18
(2000)); the Board’s regulations at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 370.350
,
601.101, and 607.104(b); and an
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency regulation at 35 Ill. Adm. Code 653.119. The People
further allege that respondents violated these provisions by causing water pollution, failing to
protect public water supplies, failing to provide safe water, and failing to adequately separate
water and sewer mains. The complaint concerns installation of a sanitary sewer system in
Auburn, Sangamon County.
On April 5, 2001, the Board accepted the stipulation and proposed settlement between the
People and Auburn. On October 4, 2001, the Board accepted the stipulation and proposed
settlement between the People and Benton.
On September 18, 2001, the People and PPH filed a stipulation and proposed settlement,
accompanied by a request for relief from the hearing requirement of Section 31(c)(1) of the Act
(415 ILCS 5/31(c)(1) (2000)). This filing is authorized by Section 31(c)(2) of the Act (415 ILCS
5/31(c)(2) (2000)).
See
35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(a). The Board provided notice of the
stipulation, proposed settlement, and request for relief. The newspaper notice was published in
The Auburn Citizen
on September 27, 2001. The Board did not receive any requests for hearing.
The Board grants the parties’ request for relief from the hearing requirement.
See
415 ILCS
5/31(c)(2) (2000); 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.300(b).
Section 103.302 of the Board’s procedural rules sets forth the required contents of
stipulations and proposed settlements. 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.302. These requirements include
stipulating to facts on the nature, extent, and causes of the alleged violations and the nature of
PPH’s operations. Section 103.302 also requires that the parties stipulate to facts called for by
Section 33(c) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/33(c) (2000)). The People and PPH have satisfied Section
103.302. PPH neither admits nor denies the alleged violations of Sections 12(b) and 18 of the
Act and Section 607.104(b) of the Board’s regulations. PPH agrees to pay a civil penalty of
$7,500. The Board accepts the stipulation and proposed settlement.
This opinion constitutes the Board’s findings of fact and conclusions of law.
ORDER
1. The Board accepts and incorporates by reference the stipulation and proposed
settlement.
2. PPH must pay a civil penalty of $7,500 no later than December 1, 2001, which is
the 30th day after the date of this order. PPH must pay the civil penalty by
certified check or money order, payable to the Illinois Environmental Protection
Trust Fund. The case number, case name, and PPH’s federal employer
identification number [37-0714603] must be included on the certified check or
money order.
3. PPH must send the certified check or money order to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Services Division
1021 North Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
A copy of the payment transmittal and check shall be simultaneously submitted
to:
Office of the Attorney General
Environmental Bureau
500 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 62706
4. Penalties unpaid within the time prescribed will accrue interest under Section
42(g) of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/42(g) (2000)) at the rate
set forth in Section 1003(a) of the Illinois Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a)
(2000)).
5. PPH must cease and desist from the alleged violations.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Section 41(a) of the Environmental Protection Act provides that final Board orders may
be appealed directly to the Illinois Appellate Court within 35 days after the Board serves the
order. 415 ILCS 5/41(a) (2000);
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.300(d)(2), 101.906, 102.706.
Illinois Supreme Court Rule 335 establishes filing requirements that apply when the Illinois
Appellate Court, by statute, directly reviews administrative orders. 172 Ill. 2d R. 335. The
Board’s procedural rules provide that motions for the Board to reconsider or modify its final
orders may be filed with the Board within 35 days after the order is received. 35 Ill. Adm. Code
101.520;
see also
35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.902, 102.700, 102.702.
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, certify that the Board
adopted the above opinion and order on November 1, 2001, by a vote of 6-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board