ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
July 8, 1998
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS,
Complainant,
v.
GEON COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation,
Respondent.
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PCB 97-62
(Enforcement - Air)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by C.A. Manning):
This matter comes before the Board upon a formal complaint filed on October 2, 1996,
by the Attorney General of the State of Illinois, on behalf of the People of the State of Illinois,
against respondent Geon Company, a Delaware corporation, located in Henry, Marshall
County, Illinois. On February 17, 1998, complainant filed an amended two-count complaint.
The complaint alleges that respondent violated Sections 9(a), 9(b), and 9.1(d) of the
Environmental Protection Act (Act) (415 ILCS 5/9(a), 9(b), 9.1(d) (1996)), 42 U.S.C. §
7412(I)(3), 40 CFR 61.45(a) (1993), 35 Ill. Adm. Code 201.141 and operating Permit No.
7305009 by causing or allowing air pollution and discharging fugitive particulate matter
emissions.
1
On May 19, 1998, the parties filed a stipulation, settlement agreement, and a joint
motion requesting relief from the requirement of Section 31(c)(2) that proposed stipulations
and settlement agreements be presented at hearing. 415 ILCS 5/31(c)(2) (1996). The Board
published a notice of the request for waiver on May 27, 1998. The Board did not receive any
objections to the granting of the waiver. Accordingly, the Board grants a waiver from the
hearing requirement.
The stipulation sets forth facts relating to the nature, operations, and circumstances
surrounding the claimed violations. Respondent denies the alleged violations, but agrees to
pay a total civil penalty of $20,000.
The Board finds the settlement agreement acceptable under 35 Ill. Adm. Code 103.180.
This settlement agreement in no way affects respondent’s responsibility to comply with any
1
While the Board does not generally enforce the provisions of the Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR), Section 9.1(d)(1) of the Act (415 ILCS 5/9.1(d)(1) (1996)) authorizes the enforcement
of Sections 111, 112, 165, and 173 of the Clean Air Act and the regulations adopted pursuant
thereto.
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federal, State or local regulations including, but not limited to, the Act and the Board’s
regulations.
This opinion constitutes the Board’s finding of fact and conclusions of law in this
matter.
ORDER
1.
The Board hereby accepts the stipulation and settlement agreement executed by
the People of the State of Illinois and Geon Company, a Delaware corporation,
located in Henry, Marshall County, Illinois. The stipulation and settlement
agreement are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
2.
Respondent shall pay the sum of $20,000 within 30 days of the date of this
order. Such payment shall be made by certified check or money order payable
to the Treasurer of the State of Illinois, designated to the Illinois Environmental
Protection Trust Fund, and shall be sent by first class mail to:
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
Fiscal Services Division
1021 N. Grand Avenue East
P.O. Box 19276
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9276
The certified check or money order shall clearly indicate on its face
respondents’ federal employer identification number, 34-21730488, and that
payment is directed to the Environmental Protection Trust Fund. A copy of the
payment transmittal and the certified check or money order shall be
simultaneously sent by first class mail to:
Attorney General’s Office
Environmental Bureau
500 South Second Street
Springfield, Illinois 60601
Any portion of such penalty not paid within the time prescribed shall incur
interest at the rate set forth in subsection (a) of Section 1003 of the Illinois
Income Tax Act (35 ILCS 5/1003(a) (1996)), as now or hereafter amended,
from the date payment is due until the date payment is received. Interest shall
not accrue during the pendency of an appeal during which payment of the
penalty has been stayed.
3.
Respondent shall cease and desist from the alleged violations.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
3
Section 41 of the Environmental Protection Act (415 ILCS 5/41 (1996)) provides for
the appeal of final Board orders to the Illinois Appellate Court within 35 days of service of this
order. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 335 establishes such filing requirements. See 172 Ill. 2d
R. 335; see also 35 Ill. Adm. Code 101.246, Motions for Reconsideration.
I, Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control Board, hereby certify that
the above opinion and order was adopted on the 8th day of July 1998 by a vote of 5-0.
Dorothy M. Gunn, Clerk
Illinois Pollution Control Board