Attorney General's News Release
June 2, 2005
Fulton dry cleaner will shift to more environment-friendly process in agreement with Attorney General Jay Nixon
Fulton, Mo. — A Fulton industrial dry cleaning business will adopt a process that is more environment friendly as part of an agreement with Attorney General Jay Nixon to settle a lawsuit alleging violation of Missouri's hazardous waste laws.
In a consent judgment filed in Callaway County Circuit Court, Circle Environmental agreed to convert one of its two dry cleaning machines to use Techtride, a non-hazardous cleaning agent. As a result, $7,350 of a $9,800 civil penalty will be suspended provided the conversion is implemented.
"This agreement certainly represents a multiple-win situation in dealing with a significant environmental concern," Nixon said. "A local business will be allowed to make significant improvements in lieu of a civil penalty, a potential environmental hazard will be eliminated, and any potential threat to public health will be drastically reduced. This is the kind of agreement we like to see."
The consent judgment was reached as part of Nixon's Supplemental Environmental Performance Projects (MOSEPP) program, which emphasizes the mediation of potential environmental threats over other types of penalties in cases involving violation of the state's pollution and hazardous waste laws.
As a result of an inspection by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources in October 2002, investigators alleged that Circle Environmental was operating as a hazardous waste storage and disposal facility without a permit; was storing hazardous waste in excess of 90 days; was in violation of storage and shipment requirements; and personnel were not properly trained.
Circle Environmental admitted no wrong doing in the consent judgment, but agreed to spend more than $15,000 to upgrade its facility as part of its agreement with Nixon's office.
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 the Press Secretary.
E-mail Phone: 573-751-8844 Fax: 573-751-5818