Bucks company fined for storing hazardous waste in Chesco

Bucks company fined for storing hazardous waste in Chesco

A Bucks County company was ordered to pay $1.2 million in fines and sentenced to five years probation for illegally storing explosive hazardous waste, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

Action Manufacturing Company, of Bristol, has also agreed to install a new company president and chief executive officer and comply with a schedule for properly disposing of decades worth of waste.

The company, which uses explosive powders to make timing and arming devices for munitions and explosives, stockpiled the hazardous waste at their Atglen, Chester County, facility without a permit instead of sending it to an approved facility in accordance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

The violations came to light in November 2011 during an inspection by the EPA and the state's Department of Environmental Protection.

Company officials could not be reached for comment.

- Mari A. Schaefer