Muskogee Manufacturing Plant Cited In Clean Air Act Violations

A Muskogee glass container manufacturing plant owned by Owens-Brockway is part of an EPA settlement involving Clean Air Act violations.

Ohio-based Owens-Brockway Glass Container, Inc., the nation's largest glass container manufacturer, has agreed to install pollution control equipment to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter by nearly 2,500 tons per year.

They will also pay a $1.45 million penalty to resolve Clean Air Act violations at five of the company's manufacturing plants, including the one in Muskogee.

"The pollution controls required by today's settlement will significantly reduce emissions that can impact residents' health and local environment in communities located near glass manufacturing plants," said Cynthia Giles, of the EPA on Monday.

"These new pollution controls will improve air quality and protect communities from Georgia to Texas from emissions that can lead to respiratory illnesses, smog and acid rain."

The company will spend an estimated $37.5 million on controls to reduce emissions including installing two oxygen-enriched air staging on two furnaces in Muskogee. They will also install continuous emission monitoring systems on all operating furnaces at the Muskogee plant.

According to an EPA news release, the three pollutants also contribute to the destruction of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and can irritate existing heart or lung conditions.

Other facilities covered by the settlement are located in Georgia, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality also signed the consent decree, the release states.

Get more information on the settlement.