Glass maker agrees to Clean Air Act fine

The largest U.S. glass container manufacturer has agreed to a $1.45 million fine to resolve alleged Clean Air Act violations, government officials say. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Owens-Brockway Glass Container Inc. has also agreed to install pollution control equipment to reduce harmful emissions at four of its manufacturing plants. The equipment will reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter at plants in Georgia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas, an EPA release said Monday. "The pollution controls required by today's settlement will significantly reduce emissions that can impact residents' health and local environment in communities located near glass manufacturing plants," said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. The pollution controls required as part of the settlement will cost Ohio-based Owens-Brockway an estimated $37.5 million. "These new pollution controls will improve air quality and protect communities from Georgia to Texas from emissions that can lead to respiratory illnesses, smog and acid rain," Giles said.