Document wr9mZ7zKrpnODRgwpj58v2ok6

UNITED STATESUNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY * *REGION 1 ENVIRONMENTAL AGENCY5 POST OFFICEB OSSTQOUN,A RMAE ,0 21S0U9-I3T9E12 100 PROTECTION Date:Dated as shown on electronic signature(s) Subj:Inspection Report Clean Water Act Northeast Biodiesel From:John (Jack) Melcher, Environmental Engineer Digitally signed by JOHN JOHN MELCHER MELCHER Date: 2022.12.14 16: 06: 18-05'00 ' Thru:Damian Bednarz, Life Scientist Digitally signed by Bednarz, Bednarz, Damian Damian Date: 2022.12.15 09:11:46 -05'00 ' To:File I. Facility Information A. Facility Name:Northeast Biodiesel B. Facility Location:179 Silvio O Conte Dr Greenfield, MA 01301 C. Facility Contacts: Rick Durepo (413) 214-9017, rickd@northeastbiodiesel.com D. NPDES ID No (s).: 3400086959 (ICIS ID for pretreatment) MAD000283 (stormwater) II. Background Information A. Date(s) of inspection: November 29, 2022 B. Weather Conditions: Clear, cool C. US EPA Representative(s): John (Jack) Melcher Damian Bednarz D. State / Local Representative(s): None ED_019088A_00003856-00001 E. Federally Enforceable Requirements Covered During the Inspection: 40 C.F.R. Part 403-General Pretreatment Regulations for Existing and New Sources of Pollution 40 C.F.R 122.26-National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (" NPDES ") regulation for the discharge of stormwater F. Previous Enforcement Actions: No EPA Clean Water Act enforcement actions are on record. III. Type and Purpose of Inspection EPA conducted an Industrial User (" IU ") Reconnaissance Inspection and to evaluate compliance with the General Pretreatment Regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 403 and to evaluate potential to meet the definition of a " Non - Categorical " Significant Industrial User, pursuant to 40 C.F.R. 403.3 (v) (1) (ii). EPA conducted a Reconnaissance Inspection to evaluate compliance with the NPDES regulation for the discharge of stormwater at 40 C.F.R 122.26. IV. Facility Description Northeast Biodiesel (the " Facility ") is a manufacturer of biodiesel fuel using waste cooking oils. V. Inspection Unless otherwise noted, this report describes conditions at the facility / property as observed by EPA inspector(s), and / or through records provided to and / or information reported to EPA inspector(s) by facility representatives and as understood by the inspector(s). This report may not capture all operations or activities ongoing at the time of the inspection. This report does not make final determinations on potential areas of concern. Nothing in this report affects EPA's authorities under federal statutes and regulations to pursue further investigation or action. The inspection was not announced in advance. The EPA inspectors (myself and Damian Bednarz) arrived at approximately 13:20. A. Opening Conference I presented my credentials and explained the purpose of the inspection. Mr. Durepo said that the Facility had partially re - started operations in May 2022 under new management, including himself. Prior to May 2022, the Facility had shut down due the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. 1 Available at: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-I/subchapter-N/part-403?toc=1 2 ED_019088A_00003856-00002 B. Facility Tour Mr. Durepo, Mr. Bednarz, and I viewed the production area. Mr. Durepo explained the biodiesel production process. Used cooking oil, methanol, and potasium methylate are combined in a reactor to create biodiesel and a glycerin byproduct. Mr. Durepo said that some biodiesel production facilities use a " washing " process to purify the product, thereby generating wastewaters. Northeast Biodiesel, however, uses filter columns with a resin to purify its product, which does not generate wastewaters. Mr. Durepo said that no industrial wastewaters were generated at the Facility. Mr. Durepo said that the Facility was in the process of updating its oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures Mr. Durepo, Mr. Bednarz, and I viewed the area behind the Facility, shown in the photo below: 2022/11/29 13:53 The area behind the building was covered by the roof, but open on the sides. The concrete pad was graded inwards towards three catch basins. Mr. Durepo said that he did not 3 ED_019088A_00003856-00003 believe that any pipes were connected to the catch basins. I looked in a catch basin and saw a small chamber below with a depth of one to two feet. I observed a dark stain on the ground near the building. Mr. Durepo said that he did not know why the soil was stained. I did not observe a connection between the stain and surface water. Mr. Bednarz and I departed at approximately 14:00. 4 ED_019088A_00003856-00004