4 Companies to Pay $300K in EPA Penalties for EPCRA Reporting Violations

According to a US EPA press release dated July 13, 2015, four companies in Washington State will pay civil penalties for noncompliance with the EPA’s Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) chemical reporting requirements. Between them, the facilities will pay more than $300,000 in civil penalties and commit nearly $200,000 in supplemental environmental projects.

Under EPCRA, businesses that manufacture, import, process, or use certain toxic chemicals in amounts that exceed set thresholds are required to report to EPA and local fire departments in order to facilitate emergency response. The companies affected by this EPA enforcement action span a range of diverse industries, illustrating the wide reach of EPCRA reporting responsibilities.



Among the businesses fined for EPCRA noncompliance are:

• A Pasco, WA pesticide and chemical distributor that failed to report significant quantities of more than 80 different chemicals—including storing 990 times the reportable threshold of anhydrous ammonia;
• A Sumner, WA seafood distributor that stored more than 500 pounds each of ammonia and sulfuric acid; and
• Two poultry processing facilities in Kelso, WA and Roy, WA that between them failed to report ammonia, sulfuric acid, carbon dioxide, sodium hydroxide solution, ferric chloride solution, lead, and nitrogen.

For information on who must report to EPA under the EPCRA rules, read this feature: Know Your EPCRA Reporting Responsibilities

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At the Complete Environmental Regulations Workshop, EHS professionals collaborate, share best practices, and learn what to report, collect, and keep on file to comply with EPA’s major air, water, and chemical programs. From reporting and permitting under the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act to chemical management and reporting under EPCRA, TSCA, FIFRA, and more, you will leave the workshop ready to navigate the EPA regulations that affect your facility with confidence.

Tags: EPA, EPCRA, reporting and recordkeeping