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U.S. EPA fines AmeriGas Propane $19,432 for chemical reporting violations: Arizona facility failed to notify emergency agencies of hazardous chemicals

Release Date: 01/07/2008
Contact Information: David Yogi Ph. (808) 541-2726 yogi.david@epa.gov

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently fined AmeriGas Propane, L.P., over violations of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act at its facility in Glendale, Ariz.

AmeriGas Propane, L.P., will pay $19,432 for failing to file annual chemical inventory forms with the Arizona Emergency Response Commission, Maricopa County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and Glendale Fire Department, documenting the amount of propane stored at its Glendale facility in 2004 and 2005.

“Facilities storing hazardous chemicals such as propane must provide timely, accurate information about the risks posed by these chemicals,” said Daniel Meer, Chief Response, Planning and Assessment Branch, Superfund Division, U.S. EPA Region 9. “Without this data, state and local emergency planners and first responders aren’t adequately prepared to protect communities in the event of an accidental or intentional release of those chemicals.”

AmeriGas Propane, L.P. has since rectified the violations. The EPA learned of the violations during a June 2005 and a subsequent March 2006 inspection.

Since 1986, the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act requires that facilities report on-site chemicals to ensure emergency responders take proper precautions in the event an accidental or intentional release occurs.

For more information on the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know-Act, please visit EPAs web site at: https://www.epa.gov/emergencies/content/epcra/index.htm