Pennsylvania's DEP has fined Bilger-based Kephart Trucking Co. $143,604 for 113 waste transportation violations discovered last May. The fines result from Operation Clean Sweep, conducted by 500 inspectors from DEP, the Pennsylvania State Police and the state's DOT.
DEP said Operation Clean Sweep was the state's largest environmental enforcement effort, involving surprise inspections of 31,000 trash trucks at 63 sites, resulting in more than 11,000 violations.
Kephart was fined for: 49 violations for leaking waste; 37 violations for improperly covered or enclosed waste; 20 violations for overweight vehicles; three violations for failure to have a municipal waste log; two violations for improper waste identification signs; and two violations for failure to have a fire extinguisher. The civil penalty will become final following a 30-day public comment period that ends on April 8.