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CSPA rips Regional Control Board's proposal for discharge requirements regarding permit for SPX Marley Cooling Technologies

September 16, 2008 -- As part of a request as a designated party to the hearings, CSPA's Executive Director, Bill Jennings, was extremely critical of the Regional Board's proposed waste discharge requirements for SPX Marley in the renewal permit process.

SPX Marley is the leading full-line, full-service cooling tower and air-cooled condenser manufacturer. The companies that formed SPX Cooling Technologies were founded more than 100 years ago and have more than 250 global patents in the power generation, industrial, refrigeration, and HVAC markets.

In reviewing the proposed requirements, Jennings found that the Regional Board's proposal allows effluent discharge with metal hardness content in violation of federal regulations. The report is based on an incomplete record of discharges. The new permit allows discharges greater than the previous permit and is in violation of the anti-backsliding provisions of the Clean Water Act. The permit does not contain provisions for mass based effluents in violation of Federal statutes. The proposed Permit contains an Effluent Limitation for acute toxicity that allows mortality to aquatic life that exceeds the Basin Plan water quality objective and does not comply with Federal regulations. The proposed permit does not contain Effluent Limitations for chronic toxicity and therefore does not comply with Federal regulations. The proposed permit contains an inadequate reasonable potential by using incorrect statistical multipliers contrary to Federal regulations.

CSPA is concerned about the discharges from the this multinational company's operations because of they kill fish by increasing toxicity in the valley rivers. Acceptance as a designated party would allow for direct CSPA input into the permit process.