Oregon Glass Facility Fined Again for Air Pollution Violations

O-I Glass is being fined, again, by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, siting issues with the company’s air emissions.

This new fine comes just a few years after O-I Glass agreed to install more pollution control equipment in a deal with the state over similar violations. This is the 10^th time the company has been fined for its emissions since 2004.

In July 2023, the plant idled one of its glass furnaces after previously idling several more. This also came with a layoff of nearly 70% of its employees in the same month. O-I Glass is blaming these events on the downturn in the local wine market.

In 2021, the facility recycled 240,000 pounds of glass containers a day and its furnace averaged 81% recycled content.

The fines, attributed to Owens-Brockway Glass Container, a subsidiary of O-I Glass, amounted to $213,600 for violated emissions standards in its operating permit and for failing to comply with an interim agreement to limit pollution.

Last year, O-I was hit with a $1 million fine over emissions at the Owens-Brockway facility. However, this fine was reduced to $662,000 after a settlement with the state on the condition that the facility would install pollution controls.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has noted that the company is on track to install the required air pollution control technology by May 2024.

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