For more information, contact Paul Foster, Division of Air Quality, 302-323-4542
Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. 

DNREC issues $5,135 penalty notice to Southgate
Concrete Company for air pollution violations 

DOVER (Oct. 26, 2010) – Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara has issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order to Southgate Concrete Company for violations of its air permit. The order includes a cash penalty of $5,135 and an additional $770 as cost recovery reimbursement to DNREC for expenses associated with the department’s investigation.

Southgate Concrete Company owns a concrete mix batch facility located at 1526 Matassino Road in New Castle. The facility consists of two sections, referred to as the “old plant” and the “new plant.” The new plant has two cement silos, each with a baghouse atop it to control particulate matter emissions in the form of cement dust.

During an unannounced inspection on May 20, 2010, DNREC discovered several recordkeeping violations. Among them the violations were: failure to maintain records of visible emissions observations; cement loading rates; differential pressure drops; concrete production rates and dust control measures. Southgate Concrete Company has failed to record differential pressure drops in the past. A Notice of Violation was issued July 7, 2010.

The Secretary's Order can be found on the DNREC website at: http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders.aspx

Southgate Concrete Company has 30 days to request a public hearing.

Vol. 40, No. 365