Kentucky regulators are taking enforcement action against a company they say brought low-level radioactive waste into the state and two landfills that accepted it.
The Courier-Journal reported last week that regulators confirmed radioactive oil and gas drilling waste had been brought into Kentucky and illegally disposed in landfills. The waste is technically called Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material, or TENORM.
On Tuesday, the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services issued a cease and desist letter to Advanced TENORM, a West Liberty-based company. The state alleges Advanced TENORM imported waste into Kentucky from West Virginia and disposed of it illegally. The cabinet ordered the company to stop, and warned it could face fines of up to $100,000 for each occurrence.
The Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet also issued notices of violations to two landfills they say accepted the waste and failed to properly characterize it.
The cabinet issued four violations to Green Valley Landfill General Partnership in Ashland. The Notice of Violation alleges the facility accepted more than 368 tons of TENORM. The cabinet issued another four violations to Advanced Disposal Services Blue Ridge Landfill, Inc. in Estill County.