EPA fines Weston Solutions $25K

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Weston Solutions Inc. $25,000 for violating an order issued in 2010.

In 2010 Weston, a Pennsylvania-based environmental cleanup firm, committed to clean up the former Chem-Wood treatment facility in Kapolei.

Weston sold the property in 2010, but the EPA said Weston was still responsible for maintaining an asphalt-concrete cap, which covered a hazardous waste site. The EPA said it needed to approve any alteration to the cap.

The EPA said Weston violated the order when it failed to get approval from the EPA or the state Department of Health after learning the current property owner, Goodfellow Brothers Inc., had partially removed the cap that provides a protective barrier from contaminated soil.

“Our order requires Weston to maintain the integrity of the protective cap covering this hazardous waste site,” said Jeff Scott, director of the Land Division for EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region, in a statement. “This penalty sends a clear message that EPA takes these requirements seriously.”

More electric vehicles sought

State agencies and energy groups announced a partnership Tuesday to increase the number of electric-powered vehicles here.

As Hawaii passes the milestone of 5,000 electric vehicles on the road, the groups pledged to further expand electric vehicle-charging infrastructure.

The groups who have signed the memorandum of understanding for the Drive Electric Hawaii Initiative include the Blue Planet Foundation; state Department of Transportation; state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; state Division of Consumer Advocacy; Hawaiian Electric Cos.; Kauai Island Utility Cooperative; Rocky Mountain Institute; and Ulupono Initiative.

“This Drive Electric Hawaii partnership is important because it shows that many key transportation and energy stakeholders are aware of the benefits of electric vehicles, and are committed to working to help eliminate the barriers to high levels of adoption of them,” said Shem Lawlor, clean energy transportation director, in an email. “Over the next few years, we expect that members of the partnership will use their knowledge and expertise to help to identify key challenges and then to form a strong constituency that will help pass needed policy changes.”

The groups said the initiative would help increase electric vehicle-charging opportunities as well as policies, regulations and laws.

ON THE MOVE

The American Society of Civil Engineers Hawaii Section announced and installed the following elected officers: Timothy Goshi, president; Lara Karamatsu, president-elect; Eric Arakawa, vice president; Jason Kage, treasurer; Dayna Nemoto, secretary; Norman Leong, younger member forum president; and Benjamin Rasa, immediate past president.

Outrigger Enterprises Group has announced the following corporate management appointments:

>> Craig Wienckowski has been appointed as a corporate director, revenue and pricing for asset management — Hawaii. Wienckowski was previously a director at Ishin Hotels Group; manager/associate for the portfolio management and operations departments of Goldman Sachs, located in Tokyo; and a contract employee for Archon Group Korea.

>> Kazuhito “Kazu” Inakoshi has been appointed as an assistant director for market development. Inakoshi joined the company as a sales manager in market development and was previously vice president of purchasing for a local seafood wholesaler, and Japanese sales account executive and Japanese guest service manager at Sheraton Waikiki.