Energy company to pay $231K for hazardous waste violations at South Carolina facility
Ameresco Palmetto, LLC has reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency alleges that Ameresco violated federal and state laws governing the handling and storage of hazardous waste at its South Carolina facility. The EPA and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, now the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, conducted a joint inspection of the facility in 2023. During its evaluation, the EPA noted several potential violations of state and federal hazardous waste laws relating to the management of hazardous waste in containers and tanks, including volatile organic air emission requirements. To rectify the situation, Ameresco will pay $231,000 in civil penalties and correct all alleged noncompliance.
What people are saying
In a recent quote Keriema Newman, Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, said, “It's important that generators of hazardous wastes follow applicable federal and state regulations to protect human health and the environment. Generators are responsible for the appropriate management of their wastes. Companies will be held accountable when they do not follow applicable state and federal environmental laws.”
EPA in the news
Recycler to pay $236K for hazardous waste violations and $642K to reduce organic air emissions
At GRR’s facility in Attalla, Alabama, the company blends hazardous waste for use as fuel in boilers and industrial furnaces.
Akron Steel Treating pays $106K penalty for hazardous waste violations
Akron Steel Treating stored hazardous waste at the facility for more than 180 days without a Resource Conservation and Recovery Act permit.
Hawkins Inc. fined $51K for producing too much hazardous waste
The EPA concluded that the company was operating as an unpermitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facility.
Learn more about hazardous waste
How to Prepare for OSHA’s New HazCom Final Rule
A look at the changes to OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard and guidance on how to ensure compliance.
Hazmat Gear Considerations for Chemical Spills
One item does not fit all, especially when it comes to chemical hazards. Here’s what you need to know when reviewing your personal protective equipment and chemical protective clothing options.
OSHA Changes Process Safety Management Standard
Directive governs the safe use and storage of highly hazardous chemicals.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
Connect with Alexis on LinkedIn


