Sign In  |  Register  |  About Livermore  |  Contact Us

Livermore, CA
March 29, 2024 12:20am
7-Day Forecast | Traffic
  • Search Hotels in Livermore

  • CHECK-IN:
  • CHECK-OUT:
  • ROOMS:

Court Orders Metal Plating Company To Close Amidst Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations

Submit A Story
Share |
RICHMOND (BCN)

A Contra Costa County Superior Court judge has ordered the temporary closure of a metal plating company in Richmond after state investigations revealed that large amounts of hazardous materials were being improperly stored, treated and disposed of at the facility, state environmental officials said today.

The judge last week ordered Electro-Forming, Co. to clean up its property at 130 Nevin Ave. within 30 days following repeated hazardous waste violations, according to the California Environmental Protection Agency's Department of Toxic Substances Control.

The business is owned by Marion Patigler, the estate of Gerhard Patigler, and the estate of Ingrid Patigler, according to court documents. Electro-Forming could not be reached for comment on the allegations today.

The company has been ordered to remove all hazardous waste from its property before it can resume operations. If Electro-Forming fails to pass a subsequent DTSC inspection, the state agency will remove the materials itself, with all costs to be reimbursed by the company.

The court order stemmed from an investigation of the company in August that revealed it was violating a March preliminary injunction requiring it to correct alleged ongoing hazardous waste violations at the plant, which is located in the middle of a residential neighborhood.

Court records show that the preliminary injunction was granted after DTSC inspectors discovered a host of issues at the facility, including the storage of cyanide near other acids, which if mixed together, could create a deadly gas. In addition, inspectors found a 6,900-gallon tank allegedly used to illegally hold waste containing unsafe amounts levels of metals and cyanide, according to the DTSC.

During its latest inspection, DTSC personnel found that the metal plating company was improperly storing hazardous fine particulate metal dust in open containers and that the dust "covered much of the facility and contaminated neighboring properties."

Inspectors also found that a 275-gallon drum of acid waste was unaccounted for, according to the DTSC.

State Assemblywoman Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley, who represents Richmond and began looking into allegations of hazardous waste violations at Electro-Forming last year, lauded the decision to shut it down.

"Electro-Forming and its owners have put our community and the environment at risk for years," Skinner said in a statement. "It's a relief that the court and the state finally took this action."
Recent Stories
» Organization Needs 3,000 Turkeys For Thanksgiving Dinners
» Man Pleads Not Guilty To Stabbing, Killing Man Over Cigarette
» Vehicle Pursuit Leads To Discovery Of Drugs For Sale Thursday
» Man Shot In Leg In Apartment
» Firefighters Respond To 1-Alarm Structure Fire This Morning
» Police Investigating Home Burglary
» Friday Morning News Roundup
» Federal Prosecutors Collect $327M From Criminal, Civil Actions This Year
» Sfmta Parking And Traffic Citations Can Now Be Contested Via Online Portal
» Weather Forecast For The San Francisco Bay Area
Copyright © 2010-2024 Livermore.com & California Media Partners, LLC. All rights reserved.