EPA issues consent order to Smitty’s Supply to ‘assume responsibility’ for facility cleanup

ROSELAND, La. (WGNO) — The Environmental Protection Agency entered a consent order with Smitty’s Supply on Oct. 15, making the business “assume responsibility for the cleanup of the facility” after the Aug. 22 explosion.

After two months of leading cleanup efforts, the EPA has turned responsibility back to Smitty’s Supply to continue cleaning efforts and “pay certain response costs incurred by the United States.”

Due to financial barriers, Smitty’s Supply withdrew from response operations in the early stages after the fire, according to the EPA. However, the EPA and the Louisiana Department for Environmental Quality decided that the EPA was in the best position to assume the role to lead cleanup efforts.

Over this time, the EPA and other agencies recovered “more than 11 million gallons of liquid wastes from the Tangipahoa River and nearby ponds, laid more than 22,400 feet of containment boom to prevent the spread of oil and interacted with more than 2,200 residents to ensure the community’s concerns were heard,” according to the EPA.

“EPA has been here from day one working tirelessly to protect the communities in Tangipahoa Parish impacted by the fire,” Scott Mason, EPA Region 6 administrator, said.

“Working closely with state and parish partners, and other federal agencies, we have made tremendous progress, and we will continue to remain in the parish to ensure that Smitty’s Supply completes the work requires in the settlement.”

In addition to the consent order, a Pollution Removal Funding Authorization will be issued to Louisiana to continue to cleanup efforts of the Tangipahoa River and other ponds.

“We want to thank the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Gov. Jeff Landry, Louisiana Department of Environment Quality, Tangipahoa Parish government and all federal, state and local officials for their leadership and hard work in ensuring the safety of our facility and our community following the Aug. 22,” according to a statement from Smitty’s Supply.

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