Manufacturer accused of Hazardous Waste Violations

An Oconee County manufacturer is accused of violating the state’s hazardous waste management regulations and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Board considers action during its meeting today in Columbia. DHEC staff seeks an order requiring the Johnson Controls Battery plant near West Union to ensure that its hazardous waste containers are managed according to regulations, along with a civil penalty of $3,250 as the result of an inspection at the plant on March 25, 2015. According to its agenda, the DHEC Board also considers a $4,000 penalty against the investment group that owns the Long Creek General Store on Damascus Church Road to cover what DHEC staff says was a violation of the state’s drinking water regulations. In each instance, according to DHEC, Johnson Controls and Long Creek General Store may challenge the findings and appeal the actions.