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COMPLIANCE INCENTIVE OFFERED TO BAKING COMPANIES
Release Date: 02/11/2002
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002
COMPLIANCE INCENTIVE OFFERED TO BAKING COMPANIES
Luke Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
In partnership with the baking industry, EPA is currently inviting baking companies to participate in a voluntary compliance incentive program intended to reduce environmental and public health threats to the earth’s ozone layer. EPA investigations suggest that some large commercial bakeries are leaking ozone depleting substances (ODS), including chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC's) in amounts greater than allowed under the Clean Air Act. The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, approximately 10-25 miles above the earth. Depletion of this layer by ODS will lead to higher ultraviolet radiation levels, which in turn will cause increased skin cancers and cataracts and potential damage to some marine organisms, plants and plastics. Under the compliance incentive program, bakeries will audit certain appliances and phase out some industrial process refrigeration appliances in exchange for reduction of penalties. Bakeries eligible to participate are those not already the subject of a national enforcement investigation or action, which have industrial process refrigeration appliances containing 50 pounds or more of ODS refrigerants. Companies must notify EPA by April 26 of their intent to participate in this voluntary program and identify the number of appliances to be audited thereafter. Participating companies must agree to phase out use of the more hazardous ozone depleting substances by July 15, 2003, reflecting the fact that use of these substances is being rapidly phased out under existing rules. Bakeries that have installed non-ODS systems before April 26, 2002, can avoid all penalties under this agreement. Bakeries that install non-ODS systems after April 26, 2002, and before July 15, 2004 (unless an extension is granted), are subject to penalties not to exceed $10,000 per appliance. For all other appliances, there will be a per pound penalty for any leaks crossing a high threshold. Further details are available at: https://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-AIR/2002/February/Day-06/a2837.htm. For additional information and compliance resources, see: https://www.epa.gov/oeca/ore/aed/ or contact Charles Garlow at 202-564-1088 or garlow.charlie@epa.gov.
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