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MA farm digester receives $21,410 fine

February 1, 2017, Boston, MA – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has assessed a $21,410 penalty on Rutland AD 1 for violating air pollution control regulations at Jordan Farms Organics Recyclery, an anaerobic digestion food waste processor.

MassDEP inspected the facility in May of 2016 and found the company had failed to obtain an Air Quality Plan Approval prior to installing a new engine generator, three receiving tanks, and a biofilter.

In a consent order, the company agreed to comply with the applicable regulations related to air quality controls and solid waste handling and pay the penalty. Up to $2,141 of the penalty will be suspended if the company fulfills all of the requirements it has agreed to and has no further violations for the next year.

“It is important that companies comply with the requirement to get approval prior to construction, so that MassDEP can ensure that all environmental standards will be met,” said Mary Jude Pigsley, director of MassDEP’s Central Regional Office in Worcester. “In addition, it can help companies save resources by not having to correct work that was done prior to getting the approval.”

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.