EPA issues notice of violation to Muscatine's Grain Processing Corp.

Muscatine's Grain Processing Corporation -- already facing a civil lawsuit by the Iowa Attorney General on air and water pollution -- has been hit with a notice of violation by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The notice sent to GPC Tuesday (March 27) alleges the corn processing facility with violating state air pollution laws over a four-year period, 2007 to 2011.

According to the notice, the EPA alleges the facility at 1600 Oregon St., Muscatine, "repeatedly violated limits on air emissions opacity that were set forth in the company's 1995 amended construction permit and 2003 operating permit."

The EPA notice also alleges "GPC failed to notify the Iowa Department of Natural Resources of the opacity exceedances, and failed to address the exceedances in its annual compliance certification for the years 2007 through 2011."

Last December, the Iowa Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit against GPC seeking civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each of the alleged violations of air and water pollution control regulations.

In the latest action by the EPA, the firm could face penalties of up to $37,500 per day for violating Clean Air Act regulations.

CLICK HERE to download the full Notice of Violation sent GPC.