The Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) and Mid-South Steel Products, Inc., (“Mid-South”) have entered into an administrative agreement to rectify alleged violations of an air permit at a Mid-South facility in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. The implications of this development could be substantial for similar industries, signalling a tighter regulatory environment.
The Administrative Order on Consent signed on September 1st addresses alleged violations at Mid-South’s specialty above-ground and underground petroleum storage tank fabrication shop. The particulars of the alleged violation have yet to be disclosed, hence we can anticipate further updates on this matter.
The administrative order on consent is a voluntary agreement worked out between two parties to a dispute. In this case, the MDNR and Mid-South reached an agreement, likely involving the rectification of the notice violations and preventive measures against potential future infringements.
This also provides a clear signal to other entities within the same industry of an increasing scrutiny on compliance with air permits, ultimately pushing towards cleaner practices in the sector. Therefore, legal professionals, particularly those in the environmental department, can interpret this development as an indication of potential altercations to the existing regulatory landscape.
In conclusion, the agreement between the MDNR and Mid-South following the alleged air permit violation at the underground storage tank fabrication shop in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, provides an alert for both legal and corporate entities in the industry. It reinforces the need for robust environmental compliance programs, with an increased onus on adherence to air permits, underlining the gravity of potential consequences of non-compliance.