An Elizabeth biodiesel fuel company was sentenced today for discharging more than 45,000 gallons of wastewater from its commercial biodiesel fuel production facility into the Arthur Kill, a narrow waterway that separates New Jersey from Staten Island, New York, U.S Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say Fuel Bio One LLC was sentenced by U.S. District Judge William J. Martini to pay a criminal fine of $100,000. The company was also sentenced to probation for a period of five years, during which the company must: provide biannual reports to the Court and the Government documenting its waste generation, handling and disposal practices; develop, implement, and fund an employee training program to ensure that all employees are aware of proper waste handling and disposal practices and to ensure that all storage, treatment and disposal of wastewater complies with the Clean Water Act; and allow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency full access to all offices, warehouses and facilities owned or operated by the company.
According to authorities, Fuel Bio One LLC previously pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge James B. Clark 3rd to an information charging it with one count of violating the Clean Water Act, a statute that was enacted to prevent, reduce, and eliminate water pollution in the United States.
“Protecting the environment and our natural resources is one of the many ways this office works to keep New Jersey safe for everyone,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “The sentence imposed today as a result of Fuel Bio One’s previous guilty plea ensures that the company will be punished for its past crimes, and the plea agreement puts in place a plan to ensure they don’t pollute our waterways in the future.”
According to court documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
Fuel Bio One generated wastewater that included methanol, biodiesel and other contaminants, as a byproduct of its biodiesel fuel production at its Elizabeth plant. On Sept. 6, 2013, and Nov. 9, 2013, employees of Fuel Bio One released approximately 45,000 gallons of wastewater into a storm water pit at the Elizabeth plant, causing the pump to operate and, as a result, wastewater to be discharged into the Arthur Kill. A representative of Fuel Bio One admitted to this conduct in court.
Photo: That OTHER Avenel