By Shereen Siewert
Regal Beloit, the parent company of Marathon Electric, has agreed to pay $103,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Air Act at its Wausau plant, according to a news release issued Wednesday by the Environmental Protection Agency.
In addition to the civil penalty, Regal Beloit agreed to upgrade equipment at its motor and generator manufacturing operation at 100 E. Randolph St., Wausau.
“EPA is pleased to have reached an agreement with the company which includes a supplemental environmental project to help improve air quality in Wausau,” said EPA Region 5 Administrator Kurt Thiede.
Following an inspection of the facility, the EPA alleged the company had violated the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants by failing to document its compliance with emission limits for mercury and carbon monoxide.
As part of a supplemental project to protect public health and reduce air pollution in Wausau, the company will also purchase new welding torches costing about $14,000 that will help reduce emissions of heavy metals and particulate matter.
