August 25, 2006 -- A. Finkl & Sons Co. agreed to complete two environmental improvement projects at its Chicago forging operation as part of a settlement of charges it violated the Clean Air Act. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Dept. of Justice agreed to resolve the allegations in return for Finkl paying a $75,000 penalty and completing the two projects.
In the first project, Finkl will invest $545,000 to install burners on one of its gas-fired furnaces, to reduce nitrogen-oxide emissions by at least five tons a year.
Second, Finkl will also invest $75,000 to retrofit approximately 34 Chicago city vehicles with diesel emission reduction devices.
The EPA alleged that Finkl violated performance standards for new sources of air pollution by making equipment modifications that caused an increase in particulate emissions (e.g., smoke, dust, ash), and by not obtaining permits that would have required more effective control systems.
Acting regional administrator Bharat Mathur stated: "Exposure to diesel emissions is the leading public health risk in the six states that make up EPA Region 5. One of our priorities is to reduce diesel emissions through retrofits and other technologies. By retrofitting city of Chicago vehicles, Finkl is helping us meet that goal."