EPA reaches agreement with American Energy on clean-air violations

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with American Energy Corp. on alleged clean-air violations at the company’s coal preparation plant at 43521 Mayhugh Hill Road, Township Highway 88, Beallsville, Ohio.

The agreement, which includes a $40,000 penalty, resolves EPA allegations that AEC failed to comply with testing, notification and reporting requirements at the plant that processes coal from a coal mine.

The company was required to conduct a performance test for opacity, or the amount of light obscured by particulates (dust) from the plant, to determine compliance with the opacity standard.

Inhaling high concentrations of particulates can affect children, the elderly and people with heart and lung diseases the most.