Company Sentenced For Improper Storage Of Explosive Hazardous Waste

PHILADELPHIA – Action Manufacturing Company, headquartered in Bristol, Bucks County, was sentenced today to a five-year term of probation and to pay a fine of $1.2 million for storing explosive hazardous waste illegally at its facility in Atglen, Chester County, PA.  The company agreed to install a new president and chief executive officer, and the company will comply with a schedule for disposing of the backlog of waste built up over many years. U.S. District Court Judge Nitza I. Quinones Alejandro also ordered an $800 special assessment.

Action Manufacturing makes timing and arming devices for munitions and explosives.  In its manufacturing process, Action Manufacturing mixes explosive powders, and also fills boosters, detonators and other items with explosive powders.  Action Manufacturing's production process generates explosive solid waste, and the law requires that it be disposed of in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.  The company admitted that, instead of sending its waste to an approved treatment, storage and disposal facility, it stockpiled explosive hazardous waste at its Atglen facility without a permit.  In November 2011, civil inspectors from EPA's Land and Chemicals Division and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection inspected the Atglen site, and found the illegally stored waste, including scrap parts and components that were years or even decades overdue for disposal. 

Action Manufacturing also admitted that it violated Department of Transportation recordkeeping regulations for transporting explosive material on the public roads.

The case was investigated by the EPA’s Criminal Investigations Division and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Inspector General.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Elizabeth Abrams.

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EASTERN DISTRICTof PENNSYLVANIA
Suite 1250, 615 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106
PATTY HARTMAN, Media Contact, 215-861-8525