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Owner of Corn Ethanol Plant in Holt County, Mo., Agrees to Pay $79,367 to Settle Alleged Violations of Federal Clean Air Act

Release Date: 05/10/2010
Contact Information: Chris Whitley, 913-551-7394, whitley.christopher@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., May 10, 2010) - The owner and operator of a corn ethanol production facility in Holt County, Mo., has agreed to pay a $79,367 civil penalty to EPA Region 7 to settle a series of alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act.

Golden Triangle Energy, LLC, which operates the ethanol plant at 15053 Highway 111, Craig, Mo., is the respondent in an administrative consent agreement and final order filed in Kansas City, Kan.

According to the filing, EPA conducted a compliance inspection of the ethanol plant in January 2008 and found the company had failed to properly implement and update its Risk Management Program and Plan, as required by law.

Golden Triangle Energy also had not updated its Process Hazard Analysis, nor had it established a system to promptly address findings and recommendations from that analysis, the inspection noted. The company also failed to document its self-inspections and tests of process equipment, and properly certify periodic reviews of compliance evaluations and contract employee training, inspectors found.

The Clean Air Act requires owners and operators of facilities such as the corn ethanol plant in Craig to identify hazards and prevent and minimize the effects of accidental releases of hazardous substances at their facilities. Failures to establish adequate Risk Management Programs and keep Risk Management Plans updated can compromise facilities’ abilities to prevent accidents and levels of preparedness for emergencies.

By approving the consent agreement, Golden Triangle Energy has certified that its Craig facility is now in compliance with the Clean Air Act and its regulations.