Interstate Power and Light Co. d/b/a Alliant Energy - Clean Water Act Public Notice
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
In accordance with Section 309(g)(4)(A) of the Clean Water Act (“CWA”), 33 U.S.C.§ 1319(g)(4)(A), and 40 C.F.R. § 22.45 of the Consolidated Rules of Practice Governing the Administrative Assessment of Civil Penalties and the Revocation/Termination or Suspension of Permits (“Consolidated Rules”), the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against Interstate Power and Light Co. d/b/a Alliant Energy for alleged violations stemming from the operation of the Prairie Creek Generating Station, a power plant located at 3300 C St SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
Under Section 309(g) of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g), the EPA is authorized to issue orders assessing civil penalties for various violations of the CWA. The EPA may issue such orders after filing a Complaint commencing either a Class I or Class II penalty proceeding. In this case, the EPA is providing notice of the proposed assessment of a Class I civil penalty pursuant to 33 U.S.C. § 1319(g)(4)(A). Class I proceedings are conducted under the EPA’s Consolidated Rules, 40 C.F.R. Part 22.
In this case, the EPA alleges that Respondent violated the requirements of its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit (Iowa Permit No. IA-5715108) in violation of Sections 301 and 402 of the Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C. §§ 1311(a) and 1342. The EPA alleges that on or about June 23, 2021, a valve/check valve assembly at the Prairie Creek Generating Station failed, causing 12.5% sodium hypochlorite solution containing approximately 591 pounds (268 kilograms) of sodium hypochlorite to discharge into the Cedar River. Respondent has reached agreement with the EPA on the terms of a proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order which would resolve this matter. Under the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order, Respondent will pay a civil penalty of $14,576. Final approval of the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order is subject to the requirements of 40 C.F.R. § 22.45.
The EPA will receive written comments on the proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of publication of this notice. All such comments shall be submitted to the Regional Hearing Clerk at the address provided below. The procedures by which the public may submit written comments on a proposed Class I order or participate in a Class I proceeding, and the procedures by which a respondent may request a hearing, are set forth in the Consolidated Rules. Persons wishing to obtain additional information on the proceeding, receive a copy of the EPA’s Consolidated Rules, review the proposed Consent Agreement/Final Order, comment upon the proposed penalty assessment, or otherwise participate in the proceeding should contact Regional Hearing Clerk, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 7, at R7_Hearing_Clerk_Filings@epa.gov or 913-551-7972. Please reference Docket No. CWA-07-2022-0016. For Technical questions contact Mark Aaron, Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division, at aaron.mark@epa.gov or 913-551-7205. Persons with legal questions may contact Natasha Goss, Office of Regional Counsel, at goss.natasha@epa.gov or 913-551-7752. In order to provide opportunity for public comment, the EPA will issue no final order assessing a penalty in this proceeding prior to forty (40) days from the date of this notice.
| 2022.08.03 Date |
/s/ Wendy Lubbe for David Cozad Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division |
Summary
The EPA is providing notice of a proposed Administrative Penalty Assessment against Interstate Power and Light Co. d/b/a Alliant Energy for alleged violations stemming from the operation of the Prairie Creek Generating Station, a power plant located at 3300 C St SW, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404.
Program/Statute: Clean Water Act (CWA)
Applicant/Respondent(s):
3300 C St Sw
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Docket ID: CWA-07-2022-0016