NOTICE OF VIOLATION

 

Via Certified Mail #: 7002 0510 0004 0398 8232

 

 

To:

Mr. Keith Busse, President and Registered Agent

 

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

 

6714 Pointe Inverness Way, Suite 200

 

Fort Wayne, Indiana 46804

 

Case No. 2005-15280-A

 

Based on an investigation on November 2, 2005, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has reason to believe the Steel Dynamics, Inc. (Respondent) has violated environmental rule and permits.  The violations are based on the following:

 

1.                  Respondent owns and operates a steel mini mill with ID number 033-00043 located at 4500 County Road 59 in Butler, DeKalb County, Indiana (the “Site”).

 

A.                 Pursuant to 326 IAC 2-2-3 and operation condition No. 16 of Construction Permit No. 9187, visible emissions from a the LMF stack (No. 17) shall not exceed three percent (3%) opacity.

On November 2, 2005, an IDEM representative noted that visible emissions from the LMF averaged six and a quarter percent (6.25%) opacity for one six minute period, and a five percent (5.0%) opacity for another, resulting in violations of 326 IAC 2-2-3 and operation condition No. 16 of Construction Permit No. 9187.

 

In accordance with IC 13-30-3-3, the Commissioner herein provides notice that a violation may exist and offers an opportunity to enter into an Agreed Order providing for the action required to correct the violation and for the payment of a civil penalty.  The Commissioner is not required to extend this offer for more than sixty (60) days.

 

As provided in IC 13-30-3-3, an alleged violator may enter into an Agreed Order without admitting that the violation occurred.  IDEM encourages settlement by Agreed Order, thereby resulting in quicker correction of the environmental violation and avoidance of extensive litigation.  Timely settlement by Agreed Order may result in a reduced civil penalty.  Also, settlement discussions will allow the opportunity to present any mitigating factors that may be relevant to the violation.

 

If an Agreed Order is not entered into within sixty (60) days of receipt of this Notice of Violation, the Commissioner may issue a Notice and Order under IC 13-30-3-4 containing the actions that must be taken to correct the violation and requiring the payment of an appropriate civil penalty.  Pursuant to IC 13-30-4-1, the Commissioner may assess penalties of up to $25,000 per day for each violation.

 

Please contact Brenda Mathews at (317) 232-8408 within fifteen (15) days after receipt of this Notice to discuss resolution of this matter.

 

 

 

For the Commissioner:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

___________________

Signed on April 12, 2006

 

 

Matthew T. Klein

 

 

Assistant Commissioner

 

 

for Compliance & Enforcement

 

 

 

cc:

DeKalb County Health Department

 

L. Kyle Endris, Office of Legal Counsel

 

Brenda A. Mathews, Office of Enforcement

 

Richard Sekula, Office of Air Quality

 

Office of Air Quality Public File

 

Enforcement File

 

http://www.in.gov/idem