JELD-WEN’s lumber facility in Klamath Falls, Ore., has settled with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) for alleged air quality violations.

Ed Kowalski, director of the EPA’s enforcement program in Seattle, says, “This settlement will help improve the air people breathe in the Klamath Falls area. By meeting its financial obligations under today’s settlement, JELD-WEN is investing in the health and welfare of people who live, work and play near this facility.”

In addition to paying a $108,000 civil penalty to EPA and a $48,000 civil penalty to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, JELD-WEN will perform a major supplemental environmental project by providing $444,000 to implement a local woodstove change-out program. The program will be administered by the South Central Oregon Economic Development District for the next two years and will include both replacement of uncertified woodstoves and installation of fireplace inserts.

The EPA alleged numerous violations of JELD-WEN’s air operating permit, primarily in 2008 through 2010, relating to opacity (an indicator of particulate matter), deviation reporting, compliance certification and monitoring. Also as part of the most recent action, JELD-WEN is resolving the same violations with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

DWM reached out to JELD-WEN and as of press time, the company had yet to comment.