The EPA has fined mining, smelting and refining company Asarco $30,900 for allegedly using buildings contaminated with PCBs, and improperly managing PCB waste. The company will also spend $115,714 to reduce PCBs at its copper smelter in Hayden, Ariz. As part of the agreement, Asarco has agreed to replace three PCB transformers at the smelter.

The clean air and nuclear safety subcommittee of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing tomorrow entitled, “Black Carbon – A Global Health Problem with Low-Cost Solutions.” Witnesses are scheduled to include Timothy Johnson, director of emerging technologies and regulations at Corning Environmental Technologies, as well as representatives of the Clean Air Task Force, Diesel Technology Forum, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality and Alabama State Port Authority.