By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
St. Joseph’s complaint against HPI Products has been dropped after the company went into receivership and the federal government stepped in to clean up alleged environmental damage from the chemical company located in downtown St. Joseph.
City officials filed a complaint against HPI at the end of November 2020, alleging HPI “repeatedly discharged chemicals into the City’s sewer system and operated within city limits without a required Wastewater Contribution Permit.”
The Environmental Protection Agency along with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources acted against HPI, asking the federal courts to compel environmental remediation activities at HPI’s properties. The Western District Court of Missouri ordered HPI to cease all further chemical operations and placed the company under receivership on September 19th last year.
The temporary receiver appointed by the court closed the chemical company and ended all disputed discharges. The EPA will conduct site assessments and waste removal under its Superfund program.
The city dismissal preserves its ability to refile the case.