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Massachusetts Power Station Faces Fines for Clean Water Violations

Release Date: 11/02/2010
Contact Information: Paula Ballentine, 617-918-1027

(Boston, Mass. – November 2, 2010) A power station located in Holyoke, Mass. faces up to $177,500 in Clean Water Act (CWA) fines for allegedly discharging muddy storm water and other pollutants into the Connecticut River. 

According to EPA, the Mt. Tom Generating Company, LLC violated it’s federally issued permit by exceeding permit discharge limits over a five month period of time. The company was performing construction work at the coal-fired power plant facility during this period of time. 

“It is imperative that companies who discharge their wastewaters to our waterways fully comply with applicable permit requirements,” said Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office. “EPA will continue enforcing and monitoring permit requirements that are necessary to improve water quality in our rivers, lakes and estuaries.” 

Rainwater running off construction sites can carry sediments, oil and other pollutants which contaminate nearby streams, ponds and rivers. Sediments and chemicals can also contribute to fish die-offs, toxic algae blooms, contaminated shellfish beds and closed swimming beaches.

More information:

EPA Water Permit Program in New England (epa.gov/region1/npdes)

Enforcing Clean Water requirements in New England (epa.gov/region1/enforcement/water)

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