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EPA reaches agreement with Bremner Food Group on clean-air violations

Release Date: 10/01/2009
Contact Information: William Omohundro, 312-353-8254, omohundro.william@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 09-OPA185

(Chicago - Oct. 1, 2009) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has reached an agreement with Bremner Food Group Inc. on alleged clean-air violations at the company's cookie manufacturing plant at 1450 Pate Plaza Drive, South Beloit, Ill.

The agreement, which includes a $20,310 penalty and an environmental project costing $95,000, resolves EPA allegations that Bremner failed to include in its state operating permit application potential emissions of ozone-producing volatile organic compounds from its flavoring production line.

For its environmental project, Bremner will replace refrigerant in a cooling unit at its South Beloit plant with a nonozone-depleting substance within six months.

Volatile organic compounds contribute to the formation of ground-level ozone (smog). Smog is formed when a mixture of pollutants react with warm, sunny days. Smog can cause respiratory problems, including coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest pain. People with asthma, children and the elderly are especially at risk, but these health concerns are important to everyone.

Information about EPA Region 5's air enforcement program is at https://www.epa.gov/region5/air/enforce/index.html. Potential environmental violations may be reported at https://www.epa.gov/compliance/complaints.