Chemical plant along the Fore River sued by CLF

A chemical plant along Weymouth Fore River in Quincy has come onto the Conservation Law Foundation’s radar. Twin Rivers Technologies, which owns a glycerin manufacturing facility in the shadow of the Fore River Bridge, has been sued by CLF for allegedly violating the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. The environmental group says the company has been discharging a cocktail of harmful substances into the Fore River, Town River Bay, and the air in the neighborhood. “The facility’s discharge of pollutants,” CLF’s complaint states, “degrades the rivers’ health and diminishes the use and enjoyment of the rivers.” CLF notified the company of its intention to sue in June, listing Twin Rivers’ violations of environmental regulations, including toxic waste water and storm water discharges and high volumes of pollutants leaking into the air. Manufacturing glycerin, a product used in detergents and rubber products, is a chemically intensive process, usually producing pollutants like carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and other compounds. It also produces a really strong smell. For Twin Rivers, it’s the first time they’ve come under major scrutiny from an environment advocacy group. “Twin Rivers Technologies (TRT) finds the allegations in this lawsuit inaccurate, denies them and will vigorously oppose them in court,” the company wrote in a statement to the Globe. “We demonstrate daily our ongoing commitment to sustainability and compliance which has earned us global, national and regional recognition and a valued positive relationship with the Quincy community. Guided closely by regulators, these efforts will continue in spite of CLF’s unwarranted claims.” Govern said CLF started looking more closely at the Twin Rivers facility after complaints about it from neighbors increased over the past year. They sued, she said, in hopes of spurring the company into taking some action. CLF is seeking substantial penalties — nearly $65,000 per day per violation for Clean Air Act violations and $118,000 per day per violation of Clean Water Act violations, dating back to 2015 — and alleges Twin Rivers is responsible for more than 100 violations of environmental laws. CLF is also engaged in conversation with Twin Rivers about the alleged violations. — ARUNI SONI