U.S. EPA Region 5 reached an agreement with Diamond Hard Chrome Co. Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, for violations of the authorized Ohio Resource Conservation and Recovery Act financial assurance requirements for hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.
The chrome plating business has agreed to pay a penalty of $15,000 to settle the violations. In documents submitted to Ohio EPA, Diamond Hard Chrome filed to close its facility and the company failed to show it had the financial resources or an adequate plan to complete the closure properly and pay for post-closure actions to protect the environment.
The submittals raised a concern within the state agency that the company might just skip out on its environmental obligations at the hazardous waste site. As part of the settlement, the company will submit a revised RCRA post-closure plan to Ohio EPA that includes a ground-water monitoring plan with cost estimates and financial assurance.
No word from US EPA or Ohio EPA if the company actually has real or sufficient money to fund closure activities, long-term groundwater monitoring, or post-closure activities required under RCRA. Watch for this company to become news in the future on these items, especially if the economy remains in the toilet.
Kentucky Insurance and Environmental Matters 
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