SAGINAW, MI - Michigan’s Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy is fining three companies after the state alleged asbestos-related violations during the demolition of a Saginaw factory in 2019.
EGLE issued violation notices to AP Sag, LLC, Messaros Trucking, Inc. and RJ Torching, Inc. after inspecting operations at 2328 E. Genesee Ave. in Saginaw, the site where a former TRW plant was being demolished.
RJ, based in Flint, and Messaros, based in Springfield, Ohio, received nine code violations from the state. The state allegations included not having a contractor supervisor on site, allowing “visible emissions” and failing to handle asbestos-containing materials properly during multiple steps of demolition, according to EGLE documents.
AP Sag LLC, which owns the facility, is part of Ravenswood, West Virginia-based Applied Partners, Inc. AP Sag had three violations, including failing to estimate the amount of asbestos-containing material on site.
The companies were issued notice of the violations by EGLE’s Air Quality Division on Oct. 29, 2019. These violations won’t have any long-term impacts on the area, said Jason Wolf, an environmental quality analyst with EGLE’s Air Quality Division.
“It’s really making sure they are a little more aware of the potential risks in a facility this large,” Wolf said.
AP Sag and RJ responded and met with staff, agreeing to the terms of EGLE’s “Consent Order” to resolve the alleged violations. RJ will pay a $13,500 fine within 30 days, the documents state. AP Sag will pay $35,000.
Messaros was sent two violation notices, an enforcement notice and a “final letter” before meeting with staff and agreeing to a consent order, the documents state. It is subject to a $12,000 fine. All of the companies could be fined again for any future violations, according to the orders.
Both orders are now in a 30-day public comment period until March 11, after which they will go into effect for at least 2 years. According to the language of the orders, they are treated as settlements and not admissions of lawbreaking by the companies.
Mark Cenit, a consultant for Applied Partners, said the company wouldn’t have signed a settlement that admitted wrongdoing. He said the company found hidden materials while demolishing a powerhouse and did what it should have done if there’s an unintended discovery of asbestos: Stop work, have it tested, notify authorities and clean it.
“As part of the process, they fine you,” Cenit said. “We’ve had an ongoing discussion with them.”
The age of the building and its size sometimes causes issues, he said. General Motors didn’t keep detailed documentation of renovations either. The company has accepted the fine, but doesn’t agree it deserved it, Cenit said.
“We did find the asbestos, and it was cleaned up immediately within three weeks," Cenit said. “It’s a terrible system... You’re fining me for something GM (did).”
The other companies could not be reached for comment.
The defunct TRW plant had a storied history of manufacturing before demolition began in December 2018. Though it was long an automotive plant, it was used to make propeller blades during World War II and tank transmissions during the Korean War, according to previous MLive reporting.
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