Red Barn Coffee Roasters, Inc. Pays $2,000 Penalty for Air Pollution Control violations at Upton Facility

Red Barn Coffee Roasters, Inc., which operates a coffee roasting operation at 7 Walker Drive in Upton, has agreed to pay the Commonwealth of Massachusetts an administrative penalty of $2,000 for violating Air Pollution Control regulations.

During a routine inspection conducted by MassDEP personnel in March of 2006, it was determined that the roasting operation emitted white visible smoke in excess of allowable limits.  A Notice of Noncompliance was subsequently issued to the company that April. A follow-up inspection was conducted in November of 2006 and visible white smoke in excess of allowable limits was again observed.

In a recently finalized consent order, the company agreed to comply with applicable regulations and pay the $2,000 administrative penalty.

"Smoke is a particulate and a regulated pollutant that has the potential to cause health impacts, especially for those with sensitive respiratory systems," said Martin Suuberg, director of MassDEP's Central Regional Office in Worcester.

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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