Manufacturer accused of hazardous waste violations

An Oconee manufacturer is being accused of violating the state’s hazardous waste management regulations, and the board governing DHEC plans to consider action during its meeting tomorrow at Columbia.  DHEC staff seeks an order requiring the Johnson Controls Battery plant near West Union to ensure that its hazardous waste containers are managed according to regulations, along with a civil penalty of $3,250 as the result of an inspection at the plant March 25 of last year.  According to its agenda, DHEC board will also consider a $4 thousand penalty against the investment group that owns the Long Creek General Store on the Damascus Church Road to cover what DHEC staff says was a violation of the state’s drinking water regulations.  In each instance, according to a spokesman for the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Johnson Controls and Long Creek General Store may challenge the findings and appeal the actions.