BOSTON - A marina in Block Island, R.I., has reduced its emissions and taken steps to comply with federal clean air laws following an inspection and follow-up action from the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Champlin's Marina Resort and Tennis Club Ltd., a seasonal business at 80 West Side Road in Block Island, operates and maintains four diesel-fired internal combustion engines used to generate power at the marina, two of which EPA found were operating in violation of the Clean Air Act. These violations resulted in excess emissions of carbon monoxide and other hazardous air pollutants, including formaldehyde, which is toxic to human health.
According to EPA's New England office, Champlin's violated applicable regulations by failing to ensure that the two engines met the emission standards, and by failing to submit required reports to EPA.
Champlin's agreed to pay a $29,900 penalty and take necessary steps to comply with the law. The case stems from a July 2015 inspection of the facility. Following that inspection, the marina has reclassified these older engines as "emergency" engines, meaning that while they may operate unlimited hours in an emergency, they may operate only up to 100 hours per year in non-emergency situations, such as readiness checks and maintenance testing. Instead, the Marina will operate two newer engines that are subject to and capable of meeting more stringent emission standards.
More EPA information on pollution concerns from internal combustion engines (www3.epa.gov/region1/rice/)