Stepan Company has agreed to pay $360,725 in a settlement with the state over a hazardous pollutant released at its Elwood plant in 2020, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office announced this week.
A consent order settling the case was issued in Will County Circuit Court on Oct. 12.
The incident involved the release of about 20 pounds of ethylene oxide into the air in a two-minute period because of equipment failure during routine preventative maintenance of an above-ground storage tank, according to a news release from the attorney general this week.
Stepan also agreed to take steps to prevent future air pollution and will complete catalyst checks on certain catalytic oxidizers no later than Dec. 31.
Stepan, at its Millsdale plant in Elwood, makes specialty organic chemicals, including emulsifiers and detergent bases, according to the release.
“I appreciate Stepan Company’s cooperation throughout this process as we worked to resolve the issues and protect our environment from future violations,” Attorney General Kwame Raoul said in the release.
The complaint filed by the attorney general’s office alleged violations of the Illinois Environmental Protection Act, Illinois Pollution Control Board regulations, federal regulations and provisions of an operating permit. The complaint was based on a referral from the Illinois Environment Protection Agency.
In addition to paying a civil penalty, Stepan will complete catalyst checks on certain catalytic oxidizers no later than Dec. 31.
“We are pleased to have resolved this matter in cooperation with the Illinois EPA and attorney general,” a Stepan spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “Stepan is committed to protecting the health and well-being of its people, customers and the communities in which it operates. We will continue to look for ways to enhance our compliance activities.”