A Sun Valley metal finishing factory has agreed to pay $15,500 in civil penalties for violation of waste and clean water laws, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced. The payment of the penalty by R.L. Anodizing and Plating Inc. will resolve hazardous waste violations dating from June 2011, the federal agency said. R.L. Anodizing, at 11331 Penrose St., was found by the EPA to have stored hazardous waste without proper permits and improperly labeled and maintained the containers of waste. The anodizing process, which coats metals with oxides that resist corrosion, generates hazardous wastes such flammable liquids, corrosive liquids and sludge containing heavy metals chromium, cadmium and lead. R.L. Anodizing was one of five Southern California companies to pay penalties following a multi-year “environmental justice” investigation into industrial companies near low-income neighborhoods, said Jared Blumenfeld, regional administrator for the EPA for the Pacific Southwest. “Metal plating facilities, often located close to neighborhoods, must ensure they comply with federal laws to prevent harm to the community and the environment,” Blumenfeld said in a prepared statement. The company could not be reached for comment on Friday.