GlaxoSmithKline settles with U.S. over hazardous waste at King of Prussia plant

GlaxoSmithKline will pay a fine to the federal government for hazardous waste violations uncovered at its facility in King of Prussia, Montgomery County.

The Environmental Protection Agency noted a short list of waste-management problems back in 2012. The alleged violations were related to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the law that set rules for the treatment and disposal of hazardous waste.

Two years later, the pharmaceutical company has struck a deal with the government, agreeing to a $317,550 fine to settle the EPA’s allegations.

That fine will go to the federal government.

Pennsylvania considers the site a “large quantity hazardous waste generator” and inspects the facility each year.

Lynda Rebarchak, a spokeswoman for the state Department of Environmental Protection, said state inspectors have not uncovered any waste management problems in recent years.

“From our waste program, no, I was not able to find any violations going back several years. The last violation that I was able to find was back in January in 2003,” Rebarchak said.

GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman Melinda Stubbee emailed a statement.

“As background, when the EPA audit turned up this finding in 2012, GSK immediately took the tank out of service until it was brought into compliance. These actions included installation of a conservation vent on the tank and labeling appropriate piping and equipment associated with the tank,” she wrote.

“The size of the penalty is primarily based on the length of time GSK was out of compliance,” Stubbee said.