Clean Harbors Colfax penalized nearly $900,000

Clean Harbors Colfax was recently assessed a penalty of several hundred-thousand dollars for a long list of violations at its controversial open-burning facility in Grant Parish.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality issued the penalty of $883,665.56 in a 20-page assessment dated Nov. 19. Violations cited included burning unauthorized material, exceeding the permitted five-minute time limit for burning or detonation and allowing the discharge of unauthorized pollutants.

The company can appeal the penalty.

"We're encouraged there may be light at the end of the tunnel, but we still have a major fight," said state Rep. Terry Brown, I-Colfax.

“We strongly disagree with the fine," said Phillip G. Retallick, senior vice president, compliance and regulatory affairs with Clean Harbors Environmental Services. "We find it arbitrary, based off falsehoods, and we certainly will appeal."

Read more: https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/local/2018/12/08/clean-harbors-colfax-penalized-nearly-900-000/2239887002/