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Seven WA Facilities Settle for Failing to Address Chemical Risk

Release Date: 6/21/2001
Contact Information: Lisa McArthur
mcarthur.lisa@epamail.epa.gov
(206) 553-0383

June 21, 2001 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 01-018


The regional office of the Environmental Protection Agency announced today that it has cited the owners and operations of seven facilities in Washington for failing to submit plans that address chemical risks.
The following facilities have received the penalties listed and have come into compliance, either by submitting the required plans, or by reducing their on-site chemicals:

Echo Bay Minerals Co.	Kettle Falls	anhydrous sulfur dioxide	$5,000
Lynnwood (City Wastewater)	Lynnwood	chlorine	$2,500
Valley Fruit III	Wapato	anhydrous ammonia	$2,000
Grandview (City Wastewater)	Grandview	chlorine	$750
Enchanted Parks	Federal Way	chlorine	$1,500
C.M. Holtzinger	Yakima	anhydrous ammonia	$3,000
Ritzville Chemical	Ritzville	aqueous ammonia	$0*

*For businesses that self-disclose, especially small businesses, penalties may be reduced or eliminated.

Following the 1984 disaster in Bhopal, India, the Clean Air Act was amended to require facilities with the most toxic and flammable chemicals to file Risk Management Plans. These plans explain what risks are present at those facilities, and how they will prevent and respond to accidental releases. They are filed with EPA’s National RMP Reporting Center, and most sections are available on-line at www.epa.gov/enviro. Failure to submit a Risk Management Plan can result in penalties of up to $27,500 per day.

“This law is the public’s first line of defense against the airborne release of these hazardous chemicals,” said Lisa McArthur, EPA Risk Management Program Coordinator. “It’s absolutely critical that both the public and private sector analyze the risks present at their facilities, and submit their Risk Management Plans.

“This is the best way to protect our communities from another Bhopal.”