Attorney General's News Release

May 23, 2000

KC business to pay $225,000 to resolve alleged hazardous waste violations under court order obtained by Nixon

Jefferson City, Mo. — Attorney General Jay Nixon announced today that Solvent Recovery Corporation (SRC), which owns and operates a commercial hazardous waste facility in Kansas City, will pay a civil penalty of $225,000 to resolve allegations of improper handling, storage and transportation of hazardous waste. The SRC facility, located at 716 Mulberry St., handles hazardous waste from other companies.

Nixon said inspections by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources uncovered several violations of the state hazardous waste management law, including storage of hazardous waste in unpermitted areas and quantities, and failure to provide adequate and proper secondary containment systems and spill control equipment.

"The handling and storage of hazardous waste carry a high level of responsibility to ensure no harm comes to human health or the environment," Nixon said. "We believe this consent judgment and the penalty that comes with it will help enforce the notion of having necessary safeguards when dealing with hazardous waste."

The order from the Jackson County Circuit Court also resolves any potential violations relating to a July 1997 incident in which a container of hazardous waste shipped from the Mulberry facility caught fire in St. Charles County while being transported.

The order also states that if SRC does not comply with the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law over the next three years, it could face additional penalties of up to $125,000.

Inquiries from consumers should be directed to consumer@ago.mo.gov or 1-800-392-8222 (from within Missouri) or 573-751-3321 (outside Missouri).

All media inquiries should be directed to Press Secretary John Fougere.

E-mail      Phone: 573-751-8844         Fax: 573-751-5818